Javi Gracia hailed Nathaniel Chalobah as an important player for Watford after the midfielder returned from injury against Manchester United on Sunday.

Chalobah came on for the final stages of the 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford and looked comfortable on his return to the side.

The 23-year-old may only have featured for 18 minutes, but Gracia still saw enough to declare the England under-21 international’s importance to Watford.

“It is good news for everybody,” Gracia told the club website. “Everybody knows now he is not in the best condition.

“It was important today for him to show he is available for the future. He’s an important player for us.”

Chalobah looked set to enjoy a fine debut campaign and earned a first England senior team call-up after impressing in the early stages of the season.

However, a fractured kneecap suffered in training meant Sunday’s appearance in Manchester was only Chalobah’s sixth of the season.

He received a huge reception from the traveling Watford fans when taking to the field and Gracia was pleased to see a player who has been injured since his arrival back in action.

“Everybody knows he is a very good player for us,” the head coach said. “He was one of those injured at the beginning when I arrived.

“Now we see him in the last game [of the season]. I am very happy for him, the club and all the squad.”