Hameur Bouazza is set to return to Vicarage Road today for the first time since he joined Fulham last summer.

Lawrie Sanchez paid an initial £3m for the winger 12 months ago but Bouazza hardly featured under new manager Roy Hodgson and was sent on loan to Charlton Athletic at the beginning of the month.

“I’ll be surprised if he finds the ground,” joked Aidy Boothroyd.

“He’s another product of the youth system and has gone to Fulham and it’s not worked for him. He probably needs to drop down to the Championship to get regular football. And if he can get it at Charlton then great. We know all about his power and his pace and I’ll be looking forward to seeing him again and seeing if we can upset him.”

The last four matches between the two sides have ended in a draw and Boothroyd is anticipating another closely-fought encounter.

“I’m expecting a tactical battle,” said Boothroyd. “Alan (Pardew) is very keen to let people know how football should be played and that’s always nice but if we can play and win the right way then I’ll be double pleased.”