Joel Ekstrand has been included in Watford's revised Premier League squad that has been submitted for the remainder of the season.

The Swedish defender has not been involved with the first team since March after suffering a knee ligament injury but Quique Sanchez Flores has consistently spoken in warm terms about the 26-year-old and there was no change in that message this morning when the Hornets boss said talks with the player over a new contract were underway.

However, Flores said he was unsure whether Ekstrand would be included in the squad, with Watford at their 17-man limit of foreign players. But the Swede has made the cut with Essaid Belkalem, who has not played for the Hornets since April 2014, the player to make way.

The Hornets have filled 23 of the available 25 places for players over the age of 21 in the squad, although Sean Murray's shirt number has yet to be confirmed.

Watford are unable to fill all their squad places because they do not have at least eight home-grown players over the age of 21 as defined by Premier League rules. Indeed, the number has reduced by two in January following the departures of Connor Smith and Lloyd Dyer, who was released from the remainder of his contract yesterday.

The full squad is:

1. Heurelho Gomes (GK) 

2. Allan Nyom

3. Miguel Britos

4. Mario Suarez

5. Sebastian Prödl

6. Joel Ekstrand

7. Jose Manuel Jurado

8. Valon Behrami

9. Troy Deeney

11. Nordin Amrabat

13. Rene Gilmartin (GK)

14. Juan Carlos Paredes

15. Craig Cathcart

17. Adlene Guedioura

18. Costel Pantilimon (GK)

20. Steven Berghuis

21. Ikechi Anya

22. Almen Abdi

23. Ben Watson

24. Odion Ighalo

25. Jose Holebas

29. Etienne Capoue

TBC. Sean Murray 

Eligible as Under-21s:

10. Obbi Oulare

16. Nathan Ake

26. Bernard Mensah

30. Jorell Johnson

31. Tommie Hoban

35. Josh Doherty

36. Alex Jakubiak

37. Alfie Young

38. Mahlondo Martin

39. Dennon Lewis

40. George Byers