Watford are hopeful Gerard Deulofeu will play again this season after confirming the winger suffered a stress fracture on his foot in the win over Everton.

The Barcelona loanee limped off during the second half of Saturday’s game with the Toffees and revealed he will be out for “some time” on twitter.

Watford head coach Javi Gracia couldn’t put a time frame on when the Spanish international would be available for selection again, but remained positive about his prognosis.

“I do not know how long he will be out because Gerard said some time. I think the doctor can explain better than me,” Gracia said.

“I think he has a stress fracture on a foot injury. I am optimistic and I think he will recover as soon as possible.

“I think he will recover some time soon but it depends on many things how long he will be out. I think he will be back before the end of the season.”

Deulofeu’s absence is likely to be felt by Watford after the 23-year-old made a bright start to his loan spell at the club.

Gracia has come to rely on the winger and he has started all four of the Premier League games since joining the Hornets.

His displays have pleased the Watford boss who accepts Deulofeu’s injury is a blow.

He said: “He arrived the day before we played against Stoke and he played this match and all the matches after that. 

“For us he is an important player. Now we have recovered other players we have more options in this moment. In his games Gerard gave us speed and was important for us.”

Watford will be boosted by the return of Will Hughes and Didier Ndong, who are both available again after missing out against Everton.

Gracia says Hughes can play in the wide right role and can also turn to the likes of Kiko Femenia and Andre Carrillo in Deulofeu’s stead.

Watford’s overall fitness issues are lessening somewhat but they will still be without some key names for the visit of bottom-of-the-table West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

Christian Kabasele is still out with a hamstring injury suffered in the 0-0 draw against Stoke City in January.

Tom Cleverley also pulled up in that game and is unlikely to feature in the clash.