Hall and Chalobah should be available for Barnsley clash (From Watford Observer)

Watford's Fitz Hall and Nathaniel Chalobah should be fit for Barnsley clash but Almen Abdi ruled out

4:29pm Thursday 14th March 2013 in Sport

Fitz Hall. Picture: Holly Cant

Watford midfielder Almen Abdi is ruled out of Saturday's game but defender Fitz Hall and midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah should be back in contention.

Abdi had to be withdrawn 15 minutes before kick-off against Blackpool after suffering a minor groin injury in the pre-match warm up.

Hornets boss Gianfranco Zola said: "Unfortunately Abdi is not available for this game. It is a groin problem. It is not a massive problem but we cannot risk him."

Hall returned to training this week after recovering from a hamstring strain and Zola said: "Fitz is available for selection, he trained today (Thursday) and yesterday (Wednesday) so he will be back and ready for selection."

On-loan midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah has also recovered from a hamstring complaint and should be available having returned to Chelsea this week to receive treatment.

"Nathaniel should be available for the game. He is fit and should be back in training tomorrow," Zola said this afternoon.

"He has been training but he has been training with Chelsea because when a loan player has a problem, they have to go back to their parent club for treatment."

Manuel Almunia is still out with a hamstring injury while Tommie Hoban, John Eustace, Connor Smith and Neuton are also ruled out.

Zola added that Marco Cassetti, Joel Ekstrand and Prince Buaben are all "fine" and available for selection.