Watford will remain without their captain Troy Deeney for tomorrow’s game against Brighton & Hove Albion while Gabriele Angella, Keith Andrews and Gabriel Tamas will also be absent.

Deeney has missed the Hornets’ last three fixtures with a hamstring injury and will again be on the sidelines. It is hoped the 26-year-old will return after the international break.

Andrews has been out since the end of August with a calf problem and will remain absent while Angella picked up a knee injury in the closing stages of last weekend’s draw with Blackburn Rovers and will also miss tomorrow’s game.

Tamas will be a long-term absentee as he continues the long recovery after he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament against Bournemouth last month.

Fernando Forestieri missed the midweek win over Brentford with an eye injury. His left eye closed up after being caught in the face against Blackburn and he is a doubt for tomorrow’s match.

The midweek win over the Bees moved the Hornets up to 20 points, joint with Championship leaders Norwich City.

It was the first game in charge for Billy McKinlay. The Scotsman has only been at Watford for eight days. He was initially hired as a first-team coach last Friday before Oscar Garcia’s departure, but has indentified areas the Golden Boys can improve.

He explained: “I learned a few things on Tuesday but there was also confirmation that we have good attributes as a side. I know we are capable of playing good football but there is some work to do in terms of controlling the game and the ball.

“It is great to have got a good result when there are aspects to work on, it means there is more to come from the side.”

Brighton head to Vicarage Road tomorrow without a league win in their last six matches. They have netted just once in their last four games and have slipped to 19th in the Championship table.

Oscar and Hornets’ assistant coach Ruben Martinez spent last season with the Seagulls. McKinlay said he hadn’t spoken to Watford’s former head coach about tomorrow’s opponents but added: “Obviously Ruben knows the side very well. We will be well prepared and know what they are capable of.”

The Albion will be without several players for tomorrow’s game. Jake Forster-Caskey and Inigo Calderon are suspended while Dale Stephens (ankle) and Solomon March (back) are ruled out due to injury.

Watford-born striker Craig Mackail-Smith is a doubt with a hamstring injury while Sam Baldock (calf) may also miss the match.

Kemy Agustien played 67 minutes for Brighton’s Under-21 side on Monday night as he recovers from an ankle problem, however, the trip to Vicarage Road may come too soon for the midfielder.

The Championship takes a two-week break following the weekend’s fixtures as international football again takes centre stage.

The Hornets have several players heading across the globe but McKinlay is looking forward to working with those who remain at London Colney.

He said: “The players that have been called up to their national teams will head off after Saturday’s game, but it will be a normal week for everyone else.

“With the Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday fixture schedule the players have mainly had recovery days, so the break will be a good opportunity to work on the training pitch with the players who are still here.

“I’m looking forward to it,” McKinlay added.