Watford’s Stefano Okaka could return to training next week, but head coach Javi Gracia says the striker will need time to build up his match fitness.

The powerful forward has not featured for the Hornets since the 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace in April, having missed the end of last season due to injury.

Okaka, who moved to Vicarage Road from Anderlecht two years ago, has endured an injury hit spell with the Golden Boys, with his latest problem preventing him from featuring for the Hornets during pre-season.

The hulking striker, who scored just once for the club last campaign, has been persistently linked with a move away from Hertfordshire over the summer, with reports in Spain earlier this week claiming that Real Valladolid were eyeing up a move for the Italian international.

While the 29-year-old’s role in Gracia’s squad remains unclear, the Hornets’ head coach did confirm that the Italian could return to training next week, although Watford supporters may not see the striker in action for a while yet.

Gracia said: “Next week on Sunday or Monday, I’m not sure, he will go back to the doctor and maybe next week he will start training with the team. But he needs time to recover his best condition.”