Abdi may return to training next week (From Watford Observer)

Watford midfielder Almen Abdi could be back training next week if improvement continues says Gianfranco Zola

2:00pm Friday 16th November 2012 in Sport By Anthony Matthews, Group Sports Editor

The Hornets head coach has suggested Almen Abdi could return to training as early as next week after suffering a dislocated shoulder in the victory at Leeds United.

Watford confirmed the extent of the injury on Wednesday but said they were “confident” the midfielder would not be out for too long.

“It’s not as bad as we thought it would be, he had a scan, and we are certainly talking about days not weeks,” said Gianfranco Zola yesterday. “It also depends on a lot on him.

“He already feels a lot better so if he carries on improving like that, maybe next week he might be training, we’ll see. It depends a lot on his recovery.”

Abdi’s absence means the Hornets will be forced into at least one change for the visit of Wolverhampton Wanderers tomorrow, although Daniel Pudil is available after missing the trip to Elland Road through suspension.

The game is likely to come too soon for Fitz Hall, although he is back in training following his hamstring problem, while Neuton, John Eustace and Prince Buaben continue to make progress in their respective recoveries from injury.

Wolves are a point and three places below the Hornets in the Championship and have lost their last three away games.

But Zola is expecting “a tough game” and added: “[They are] a team last year that was playing in the Premier League and they haven’t changed much so I’m expecting a tough game from them, a lot of quality, so it will require the best performance from us to beat them.”