Manchester United'sTom Cleverley faces fitness test this morning ahead of visit of Bristol City (From Watford Observer)

Manchester United'sTom Cleverley faces fitness test this morning ahead of visit of Bristol City

8:50am Tuesday 9th February 2010

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Tom Cleverley is rated as “touch-and-go” for tonight’s Championship clash between Watford and Bristol City and will have a fitness test this morning.

The on-loan Manchester United midfielder is the Hornets’ leading scorer this season with ten goals and scored when the two sides met in December but is still struggling to recover in time for City’s trip to Vicarage Road.

Cleverley suffered a heavy knock to the knee in last week’s 3-0 victory over Sheffield United and was left out of the Watford squad completely against Barnsley on Saturday.

The 20-year-old was replaced by Jon Harley, who was a transfer target for Bristol City before they signed Jamal Campbell-Ryce, who is also expected to miss tonight’s match through injury.

When asked about Cleverley yesterday, Hornets boss Malky Mackay replied: "Tom Cleverley is going to be touch-and-go. He was unavailable for Saturday morning and the match at Barnsley and he’s going to have a fitness test tomorrow morning so we will see.

"Fortunately there are no other problems after the weekend. We’ve got the same squad available to us as Saturday."

New signing Will Buckley was with the squad as they travelled to South Yorkshire at the weekend but was not on the bench.

The former Rochdale winger has not played since November due to injury and it is unclear whether he will be given yet more time to improve his fitness.

Stephen McGinn is also still to make his debut following his switch from St Mirren but has been on the bench in recent weeks.

Along with Campbell-Ryce, Bristol will also be without top scorer Nicky Maynard.

Watford have only won once in their last nine league and cup games but City’s record is one match worse, with a single victory in ten outings.

Click here to follow the action as it happens tonight

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