Injury updates on Watford's John Eustace, Prince Buaben and Geoffrey Mujangi-Bia

John Eustace. John Eustace.

Gianfranco Zola is hopeful that “it shouldn’t be long” before he has three players back in full training.

John Eustace has not played since the opening day 3-2 victory at Crystal Palace after having surgery on a back problem, Geoffrey Mujangi-Bia has been sidelined since the Capital One Cup defeat at home to Bradford City at the end of August, while Prince Buaben has yet to feature all season following a complex thigh injury.

Discussing the three players in turn this lunchtime, the Hornets head coach said: “John’s been having treatment and he’s started training on his own. It shouldn’t be long – I don’t know exactly how long but it shouldn’t be long.

“The problem with Prince was the injury was more serious than we thought but he shouldn’t be long as well. It might be a couple of weeks but it’s been a bad injury. He had a tear in the thigh, not only the muscle but also the tendon so it was quite complicated really.”

Turning to Mujangi-Bia, who joined on a season-long loan from Standard Liege, Zola said: “Geoff as well, it was an injury more serious than we thought. We thought it was a simple strain but it was more than that, it was fibres that broke but he’s been back in training [on his own]."

One player who is back at London Colney undergoing treatment though, is Ross Jenkins after his loan spell at Plymouth Argyle was cut short by a groin injury.

The midfielder made an instant impact on his Pilgrims debut by scoring to spark a dramatic comeback as his side came from 2-0 down with less than 20 minutes left to beat Morecambe 3-2.

He played one other game, a 1-1 draw draw at Wycombe Wanderers, but missed the matches either side of that because of the fitness problem.

“He was at Plymouth and was doing quite well," said Zola. "Then he got injured and now he’s back with us because the loan has finished. Now we have to get him back [fit] and then we’ll see.”

Comments(36)

jasonwatford says...
5:24pm Tue 16 Oct 12

Me thinks Jenkins knew he couldnt cope wih league 2 and faked injury to come back here...dont ever wanna see him again in a watford shirt.

holtonian says...
5:30pm Tue 16 Oct 12

The beauty of a big squad giving players additional time to mend properly.Will be nice to see John Eustace bossing the game in midfield if and when ready.For one i am a firm believer that games are won in midfield.

Goldenboy1960 says...
5:53pm Tue 16 Oct 12

jasonwatford wrote:
Me thinks Jenkins knew he couldnt cope wih league 2 and faked injury to come back here...dont ever wanna see him again in a watford shirt.
I hope nobody talks about you like that in your job?

jasonwatford says...
6:12pm Tue 16 Oct 12

if i was as bad at my job as he is at his job i wouldnt steal a living like he does.

mickallen57 says...
6:31pm Tue 16 Oct 12

It is nice to allow players to heal properly .Just so gratefull to the Pozzos for giving us squad big enough to cope.This will surely be even more important as we move deeper into the season.
On another matter just read Ipswich have signed a keeper on loan .Poor old butter fingers had better watch out.

Watforddogs says...
6:35pm Tue 16 Oct 12

jasonwatford wrote:
if i was as bad at my job as he is at his job i wouldnt steal a living like he does.
You are a total pratt and Luton Troll Jason

why not get a life and leave this site - Jenkins is ok in my book and certainly deserves better than your vile bile!

rousman 2 says...
6:37pm Tue 16 Oct 12

jasonwatford wrote:
Me thinks Jenkins knew he couldnt cope wih league 2 and faked injury to come back here...dont ever wanna see him again in a watford shirt.
Bit harsh Jason I think League 2 is about his level. I dont think you will see him in a Watford shirt again not a Championship player.

DuffmanWFC says...
7:48pm Tue 16 Oct 12

Not being funny but Jenkins has never really had a good game. I also think he isn't good enough for the Championship and with the other 3 midfielders coming back from injury there is no point in keeping him!
I hope we can get rid of him in January for a nominal fee..... Maybe 50p!!

D.unstable says...
8:25pm Tue 16 Oct 12

I think that having such a strong squad with strength in depth will really reap the benefits come January once most squads become a little makeshift and also by which time we would have gelled and be a real force in this division. Still think we will be up there come May despite the referees society trying to hold us back.

Harrydownunder says...
3:58am Wed 17 Oct 12

Always thought Ross Jenkins was a cracking forward. Don't know what the issue is!

JohnnyHornet says...
8:47am Wed 17 Oct 12

Harrydownunder wrote:
Always thought Ross Jenkins was a cracking forward. Don't know what the issue is!
Fast forward to the present.....

endean2 says...
9:32am Wed 17 Oct 12

yawn,yawn...........
....................
...............

Eastsussexhornet says...
9:45am Wed 17 Oct 12

Watforddogs wrote:
jasonwatford wrote:
if i was as bad at my job as he is at his job i wouldnt steal a living like he does.
You are a total pratt and Luton Troll Jason

why not get a life and leave this site - Jenkins is ok in my book and certainly deserves better than your vile bile!
Well, of course, this jason bloke is either an oik or he likes provoking you but whatever, Jenkins isn't very good is he? League 1 at best.

Eastsussexhornet says...
9:47am Wed 17 Oct 12

Changing the subject, I see that Ipswich have finally tumbled Loach. They are getting a loan keeper in now to replace him!

Letsalldothecongaforbrittassombalonga says...
10:01am Wed 17 Oct 12

Jenko is alright by me. Certainly never quite lived up to early promise but I still believe he could do a job as a squad player.
As for those returning from injury, am only really excited about John coming back. As always he will rise to the challenge and produce his consistent best for us. Just a shame that saturday will be too early to see him back. Cant wait to see us against the posh. So everyone what are our score predictions???

No Wheels says...
10:20am Wed 17 Oct 12

Ross Jenkins was a perfectly acceptable squad player for us in the pre-Pozzi era and the days before we had seventeen midfielders to choose from. Had Hogg not dominated and Eustace not stayed, he might have played more. I personally thought he showed a little more in touches in his last couple of cameos (don't ask me to quote games, I can't be bothered to even check when they were). His goal in the his debut out on loan would support that view. He has barely figured in the last couple of years, so anyone slagging him off is doing so on the basis of his form as a (home-grown) teenager. And now he is crocked after such a promising start and still there are people here with the knives out. Well done, you must be very proud. Numbers here may squeeze him out, but he will have a career somewhere and good luck to him.

endean2 says...
11:51am Wed 17 Oct 12

Letsalldothecongafor
brittassombalonga
wrote:
Jenko is alright by me. Certainly never quite lived up to early promise but I still believe he could do a job as a squad player.
As for those returning from injury, am only really excited about John coming back. As always he will rise to the challenge and produce his consistent best for us. Just a shame that saturday will be too early to see him back. Cant wait to see us against the posh. So everyone what are our score predictions???
personally I think that we could score a lot of goals this week, so 4-0
that is providing we can keep all eleven players on the pitch, wish I was going!

Chris the Vic says...
11:55am Wed 17 Oct 12

Far far too many people who have short term memories.

When Ross played alongside jack cort they BOTH looked very useful, admittedly Eustace and Hogg came in and Jack moved on but in those days Ross played well and against good opposition.

Give the lad a break.

Goldenboy1960 says...
12:30pm Wed 17 Oct 12

jasonwatford wrote:
if i was as bad at my job as he is at his job i wouldnt steal a living like he does.
As a fellow Watford fan your attitude disgusts me. You are quite entitled to have a view on him as a player but your vile bile as someone described is way out of being acceptable. Clearly you have no respect for people around you. I know and have worked with Ross and whatever you think of his ability, he has a terrific attitude, humility and respect of others (which clearly you haven't) and a great work ethic. He may or may not be good enough in your opinion but don't slate him like that. I'll tell you he loves Watford and always had great pride in wearing the shirt and put everything he had into becoming a pro. Something you would never understand or appreciate. God people never cease to amaze me with their small minded view and attitude but give me Ross any day over you.

lutondown says...
12:50pm Wed 17 Oct 12

No Wheels wrote:
Ross Jenkins was a perfectly acceptable squad player for us in the pre-Pozzi era and the days before we had seventeen midfielders to choose from. Had Hogg not dominated and Eustace not stayed, he might have played more. I personally thought he showed a little more in touches in his last couple of cameos (don't ask me to quote games, I can't be bothered to even check when they were). His goal in the his debut out on loan would support that view. He has barely figured in the last couple of years, so anyone slagging him off is doing so on the basis of his form as a (home-grown) teenager. And now he is crocked after such a promising start and still there are people here with the knives out. Well done, you must be very proud. Numbers here may squeeze him out, but he will have a career somewhere and good luck to him.
Still walking no where man? Agree with Jason he was pure pants, simple as. And come insult us both at the forum. We'll be there

lutondown says...
12:52pm Wed 17 Oct 12

Chris the Vic wrote:
Far far too many people who have short term memories.

When Ross played alongside jack cort they BOTH looked very useful, admittedly Eustace and Hogg came in and Jack moved on but in those days Ross played well and against good opposition.

Give the lad a break.
Agreed, he needs a long break...from us.

lutondown says...
12:53pm Wed 17 Oct 12

Eastsussexhornet wrote:
Watforddogs wrote:
jasonwatford wrote:
if i was as bad at my job as he is at his job i wouldnt steal a living like he does.
You are a total pratt and Luton Troll Jason

why not get a life and leave this site - Jenkins is ok in my book and certainly deserves better than your vile bile!
Well, of course, this jason bloke is either an oik or he likes provoking you but whatever, Jenkins isn't very good is he? League 1 at best.
I can categorically confirm Jason looks like an oik, but he isn't one, he comes from much further away than middle earth!
Sorry Jase, couldn't resist!

tommy gunn says...
1:55pm Wed 17 Oct 12

Anyone who has played over 50 Professional games is no mug and can eke out a living from the game at some level.So in Ross' case he is well down the pecking order at wfc but he is still only young and a move to a lower level club could give him more game time which he needs.No need to vilify the bloke though.

lutondown says...
2:07pm Wed 17 Oct 12

tommy gunn wrote:
Anyone who has played over 50 Professional games is no mug and can eke out a living from the game at some level.So in Ross' case he is well down the pecking order at wfc but he is still only young and a move to a lower level club could give him more game time which he needs.No need to vilify the bloke though.
One word to say you can play fifty games and be a mug..... Loach

SAHornet says...
2:12pm Wed 17 Oct 12

tommy gunn wrote:
Anyone who has played over 50 Professional games is no mug and can eke out a living from the game at some level.So in Ross' case he is well down the pecking order at wfc but he is still only young and a move to a lower level club could give him more game time which he needs.No need to vilify the bloke though.
Like

jasonwatford says...
2:20pm Wed 17 Oct 12

lol....it's people like watforddogs and Goldenboy that would accept us being a mid table league 1 side. In life you will understand there are people that are good at things and other things you are not so good at. I say it as i see it and dont **** foot around...you may know ross jenkins goldenboy and im sure he is a nice lad....someone else wrote we have short memories as when he played with jack cork he was superb ?? i beg to differ i remember him that year but i remember him being carried by cork all season as i remember us all talking about wanting to sign him not that ross jenkins was great and how lucky we were to have him. You can look through all my posts here and you will find i like or dont like a player and when i went on about Liam Henderson i was slated here saying he had scored a million goals in the reserves and he needed a run of games and he was young and he was good and he would come back to haunt us if we let him go....where is he ?? non league scoring 1 goal i think and when i was telling you all loach was rubbish not up to the job and costing us points it was likes of watforddogs and Goldenboy telling us that he was young he would get better in time , Well he went and looks like Ipswich aint gonna mess around with him as they have someone else already in on loan after 7/8 games....I have said from begining of the season that Joe Garner was a waste of space and again the likes of above telling me he would come good under zola he was young - he was sold for a million - he just needs a chance - No he is rubbish and steals a living as a striker nowdays. Want to dispute that then look at his goals scored total in last few years.....he is paid to score goals. i was very happy to bet that Garner wouldn't score 5 goals all season and 2 of you on here took me up on the bet but alas both seem to have dissapeared and not gonna pay up on the bet.....( was charity by the way to great ormand street ) Football is a tough world just ask sean dyche for one......If you put yourself up there then you have to take what comes back to you....many a nice lad who loved wearing a watford shirt would have been told he was not good enough and either gone out to do a real job or got another chance at another club....you cant just keep for being nice. Do you all want me to start another uproar now ??? 2 players i have seen and looki9ng a previous records at clubs i think Steve Leo Beleck and Itachi Anya will both not be long at our club....Yes before you all scream we have not seen a lot of either of them but i will state now they won't be here that long. Lutondown it is nice when we meet as i give you all your ideas on football !!!!

lutondown says...
3:00pm Wed 17 Oct 12

jasonwatford wrote:
lol....it's people like watforddogs and Goldenboy that would accept us being a mid table league 1 side. In life you will understand there are people that are good at things and other things you are not so good at. I say it as i see it and dont **** foot around...you may know ross jenkins goldenboy and im sure he is a nice lad....someone else wrote we have short memories as when he played with jack cork he was superb ?? i beg to differ i remember him that year but i remember him being carried by cork all season as i remember us all talking about wanting to sign him not that ross jenkins was great and how lucky we were to have him. You can look through all my posts here and you will find i like or dont like a player and when i went on about Liam Henderson i was slated here saying he had scored a million goals in the reserves and he needed a run of games and he was young and he was good and he would come back to haunt us if we let him go....where is he ?? non league scoring 1 goal i think and when i was telling you all loach was rubbish not up to the job and costing us points it was likes of watforddogs and Goldenboy telling us that he was young he would get better in time , Well he went and looks like Ipswich aint gonna mess around with him as they have someone else already in on loan after 7/8 games....I have said from begining of the season that Joe Garner was a waste of space and again the likes of above telling me he would come good under zola he was young - he was sold for a million - he just needs a chance - No he is rubbish and steals a living as a striker nowdays. Want to dispute that then look at his goals scored total in last few years.....he is paid to score goals. i was very happy to bet that Garner wouldn't score 5 goals all season and 2 of you on here took me up on the bet but alas both seem to have dissapeared and not gonna pay up on the bet.....( was charity by the way to great ormand street ) Football is a tough world just ask sean dyche for one......If you put yourself up there then you have to take what comes back to you....many a nice lad who loved wearing a watford shirt would have been told he was not good enough and either gone out to do a real job or got another chance at another club....you cant just keep for being nice. Do you all want me to start another uproar now ??? 2 players i have seen and looki9ng a previous records at clubs i think Steve Leo Beleck and Itachi Anya will both not be long at our club....Yes before you all scream we have not seen a lot of either of them but i will state now they won't be here that long. Lutondown it is nice when we meet as i give you all your ideas on football !!!!
No mate, you have swung over to my way of thinking, possibly due to the spanking I gave you!!!
When we sit down next, our lesson will be English Lit. paragraphs and all!
I can just imagine you've now got your red and angry face on, calm down dear and don't forget your Wallet come forum night, give the poor thing some air!
U horns

jasonwatford says...
3:14pm Wed 17 Oct 12

Dont have time for English Lit...busy working unlike some who already made their millions !!

lutondown says...
3:21pm Wed 17 Oct 12

jasonwatford wrote:
Dont have time for English Lit...busy working unlike some who already made their millions !!
Ooh, it's hard work counting up my fortune! Lesson of the day buddy...work hard or work smart!
Now where was I? One million and one..one million and two...!;-))))

foreverorns says...
10:31pm Wed 17 Oct 12

Jason watford go and find another team to support please, watford fans dont need you to tell us who is a good player and who is not , Obviosly havent a CLUE about football, Do us all a favour and get a life, Ross Jenkins has a good life I should think , Envy can eat you up you know!!!

D.unstable says...
10:36am Thu 18 Oct 12

Reading Jason's post I do not see too much wrong with it. He is clearly a Watford supporter who ultimately wants the best players for his club, certainly can't see why he should find another club as suggested because of his opinion on one player. Although Ross is probably a very nice lad and has tried his best, it comes a time of realisation when you have to accept it is best for all if he moves on to further his career maybe at a lower level. Although direct in his wording, how many fans on here felt exactly the same about Nathan Ellington regardless of if he was a nice man, he was **** and still is to this day. Or as if the guy is attacking his family or anything other than his football ability so surely it is a matter of opinion. Keep em coming Jason as wouldn't this be a boring page if we all thought the same.
Not sure you are right about Leo Beleck though, too soon to judge and have seen some decent footage on utube when fully fit.

And breath.

D.unstable says...
10:56am Thu 18 Oct 12

lutondown wrote:
jasonwatford wrote:
Dont have time for English Lit...busy working unlike some who already made their millions !!
Ooh, it's hard work counting up my fortune! Lesson of the day buddy...work hard or work smart!
Now where was I? One million and one..one million and two...!;-))))
Keep working hard LD and one day you'll be able to afford somebody to count those pennies for you. Think they are called bean counters or something!!!

jasonwatford says...
12:58pm Thu 18 Oct 12

foeverhorns - Yawn..........Read the post and i say he proberly is a nice lad....Yer No clue about about football..Yawn...If only you knew...anyway thanks D unstable it is what i think and im not having a go at his family just putting it straight. I have no issue with leo beleck but from what ive seen and i hear from the training ground a bit down the order....as for Anya how many of this type of player have we seen at Watford and other clubs when they seem to be a good impact player for last 15- 20 mins Macca was one for us. Think Fernando makes him look so ordinary.

lutondown says...
1:01pm Thu 18 Oct 12

jasonwatford wrote:
foeverhorns - Yawn..........Read the post and i say he proberly is a nice lad....Yer No clue about about football..Yawn...If only you knew...anyway thanks D unstable it is what i think and im not having a go at his family just putting it straight. I have no issue with leo beleck but from what ive seen and i hear from the training ground a bit down the order....as for Anya how many of this type of player have we seen at Watford and other clubs when they seem to be a good impact player for last 15- 20 mins Macca was one for us. Think Fernando makes him look so ordinary.
Think Fernando will make Messi look ordinary! :-)

D.unstable says...
1:19pm Thu 18 Oct 12

lutondown wrote:
jasonwatford wrote:
foeverhorns - Yawn..........Read the post and i say he proberly is a nice lad....Yer No clue about about football..Yawn...If only you knew...anyway thanks D unstable it is what i think and im not having a go at his family just putting it straight. I have no issue with leo beleck but from what ive seen and i hear from the training ground a bit down the order....as for Anya how many of this type of player have we seen at Watford and other clubs when they seem to be a good impact player for last 15- 20 mins Macca was one for us. Think Fernando makes him look so ordinary.
Think Fernando will make Messi look ordinary! :-)
The thing I am most excited about this Saturday is watching Fernando in action again, great talent.

Oh and maybe eating chips with me old LD

JonBoy says...
2:03pm Thu 18 Oct 12

FMF is pure quality, just like Zola was. Looking forward to Saturday

click2find

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