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
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel