Hornets record signing Etienne Capoue was the only player handed a debut from the start for the trip to St Albans City as new Hornets boss Quique Sanchez Flores took charge of his first match.

The Golden Boys are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 system with forwards Odion Ighalo and Fernando Forestieri flanking Almen Abdi, employed as a number ten behind captain Troy Deeney.

At right-back Ikechi Anya was a suprise inclusion whilst on the opposing side Daniel Pudil - a forgotten man under previous head coach Slavisa Jokanovic - was handed a start.

Watford: Gomes; Anya, Angella, Cathcart, Pudil; Watson, Capoue; Forestieri, Abdi, Ighalo; Deeney (c)

Subs: Arlauskis (GK), Gilmartin (GK), Prodl, Hoban, Belkalem, Young, Doherty, Paredes, Martin, Byers, Murray, Smith, McGugan, Dyer, Fabbrini, Lewis, Vydra.

St Albans City: Jones; Kyriacou, Beckles, Longe-King, Chappell; Green, Allen, Comley, Young; Bishop, Hilliard.

St Albans City second half: Jones (GK), Hall, Comley, Locke, Corcoran, Richens, Wales, Medlock, Ngoyi, Malcolm. 

Sub: Alexander (GK).