Javi Gracia says his Watford side will be prepared to deal with Burnley’s direct approach when the two sides meet at Vicarage Road on Saturday.

Sean Dyche’s men have climbed to a heady seventh in the table after a fine season and have caused a host of sides issues with their physical approach.

Burnley’s rise to prominence has been built upon grit rather than guile and they are a side who rely on a direct approach.

This is not to take anything away from Dyche and co and they have hit upon a style which suits them and causes regular problems for opponents.

Gracia is as aware as anyone of the aerial battle his side will face at the Vic and insists Watford will be ready to counter it.

Concerns will remain, though, that a defence which conceded a route one leveller to suffer a late 2-2 draw against Bournemouth last time out will struggle.

“We are trying to improve with all the defenders and we have worked this week about these kind of mistakes,” Gracia said.

“We have prepared for the next game and we know there will be a lot of long balls, crosses and these kind of situations.

“We know we need to improve if we are going to get the points from the next game.”

Victory tomorrow would take Watford to 40 points and could see them climb as high as ninth in the table, dependant on Bournemouth and Everton’s results.

Defeat, meanwhile, could see them drop to 13th.