Mike Williamson has not travelled to Wales for Watford's game with Swansea after declaring himself unfit after the Hornets rejected his transfer request.

The centre back, who joined from Wycombe Wanderers in January, handed in a written transfer request on Thursday after Portsmouth submitted an undisclosed bid.

And yesterday Williamson reported to training claiming he was injured and unfit to travel with the squad.

This has resulted in Adrian Mariappa partnering Jay DeMerit in the centre of defence this afternoon, with 17-year-old Lee Hodson starting at right back once again.

Another surprise selection is Arsenal's Henri Lansbury joining Ross Jenkins in the centre of midfield – both are just 18 years old.

Danny Graham is fit after coming off injured against Leeds United and will be play alongside Marvin Sordell, who scored his first professional on Tuesday and will make his first start for Watford this afternoon.

Craig Beattie is making his debut for Swansea after signing from West Bromwich Albion for £800,000.

The Swans make six changes to the side which lost to Scunthorpe United in the Carling Cup but fans favourite Lee Trundle has to settle with a place on the bench following his loan move from Bristol City.

The Welsh side are without Garry Monk, Angel Rangel and Gorka Pintado through suspension and have a further eight out with injuries.

Swansea: de Vries; Collins, Painter, Williams, Tate; Britton, Orlandi, Lopez; Dyer, Beattie, Gower.

Subs: Morgan, Trundle, Cornell, Richards, Idrizaj, MacDonald, Bond.

Watford: Loach; Hodson, Mariappa, DeMerit, Doyley; Cowie, Lansbury, Jenkins, Cleverley; Sordell, Graham.

Subs: Lee, Severin, Harley, Eustace, Bryan, Hoskins, Ellington.

To see how the match unfolds as it happens, click here.