Watford captain Jay DeMerit is set to miss the club's crucial Championship clash with Reading on Saturday.

USA international DeMerit and Don Cowie both missed the Hornets 1-0 defeat at QPR last night through injury and while the Scotland midfielder has been described as “touch and go”for the weekend, DeMerit is expected to be out with an abdominal muscle problem.

Watford manager Malky Mackay said he did not expect DeMerit to be fit for Reading's visit but claimed Cowie may have recovered from his calf strain in time.

“I think Don is touch and go for Saturday but I don’t think we will see Jay on Saturday,” Mackay said.

“It will probably be the last week of the season before we see him.

“Fate gives us one back and it is great to have Lloyd Doyley back tonight [Tuesday] and unfortunately two of our experienced players are taken out. But it is what it is.”

Will Buckley is expected to once again miss out with a hamstring problem but Heidar Helguson should return after being ineligible to face his parent club last night.