The course charted by Mauro Zarate during his Watford career has taken another turn, with the Argentine forward loaned to United Arab Emirates side Al Nasr.

Zarate, a long-term injury absentee, was named in the Hornets' Premier League squad but has yet to feature for the club this season, and will turn out for the United Arab Emirates side in the Arabian Gulf League until May - although Watford do have a recall clause in January.

The 30-year-old made three appearances for the club before rupturing a cruciate ligament against West Ham in February, but had been close to a recovery after featuring for the Under-23s in recent weeks.

But speaking before Watford's trip to West Brom on Saturday, Watford head coach Marco Silva had sounded unconvinced of his readiness to return.

He said: "There’s big competition there and if you think that Mauro can play number 10, you see how many solutions we have there.

"On the sides, it’s easy to understand how nay solutions we have there. Now it’s the competition and after I will take the decision.

"If you ask me whether he is in perfect condition to play I would say no, because he hasn’t played a lot of games. Does he have good fitness now? We’ll see in the next days."

Al Nasr are based in Dubai and finished sixth out of 14 in last year's Arabian Gulf League.

They are led by former Italy manager and Watford target Cesare Prandelli, and their squad contains all but five home-grown players.