Trio of new Watford signings to miss Wycombe Wanderers Capital One Cup tie

6:16pm Thursday 9th August 2012 in Watford FC News By Lewis Wood-Thompson

Picture: Action Images Picture: Action Images

Gianfranco Zola has confirmed that he will be without a number of first team players for the Capital One Cup tie with Wycombe Wanderers.

Several first-team players have been absent for parts of pre-season as they struggle to regain match fitness and Zola said there are still doubts over a couple of the players.

Almen Abdi played in Watford's first three pre-season games but has missed the last two through injury.

Daniel Pudil is also a doubt as he was substituted after just five minutes on Sunday with what Zola described as cramp.

Zola says he will assess Pudil tomorrow and is hoping Abdi will also be fit.

"Abdi should be involved ifor Saturday’s game," Zola said.

"Fortunately Pudil's injury is not bad, but I'm not sure whether he is going to be able to play, we will see in our last session tomorrow."

However, Zola did confirm that he will be without three of his new signings for the weekend’s fixture.

He said: "Fitz Hall will be out of the game, and probably [Steve Leo] Beleck, he won’t be able to play as well.

Zola also confirmed new signing Alex Geijo is unlikely to play.

Hall, who has signed a one-year deal with the Hornets after his release from Queens Park Rangers, hasn’t featured at all during pre-season, as his battle for fitness continues.

Similarly, loan striker Leo Beleck has only featured once – in the friendly against Cork City.

Stephen McGinn is still attempting to prove his fitness to the new management team and Zola confirmed he is also set to miss the clash against Wycombe.

Comments(12)

AngelHornet says...
6:40pm Thu 9 Aug 12

Just as well e have a large squad

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Casterbridge says...
6:42pm Thu 9 Aug 12

"Abdi should be involved in Sunday’s game," Zola said.

I hope someone has told him that the game is on Saturday! Or is the Wobbie recycling a quote from last week?

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LB-Goldenboy says...
7:40pm Thu 9 Aug 12

It says Saturday...

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MINTYHORNET says...
7:56pm Thu 9 Aug 12

Hope matej vydra and iketchi ayna start.

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Mickey Quinn, not so thin says...
8:17pm Thu 9 Aug 12

Anya against the club that released him would be interesting !

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Mickey Quinn, not so thin says...
8:31pm Thu 9 Aug 12

Given depth of the squad its going to be interesting to see what GZ picks as his starting 11 for the palace game.

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Casterbridge says...
9:19pm Thu 9 Aug 12

LB-Goldenboy wrote:
It says Saturday...
It does now!

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Bringe says...
12:03am Fri 10 Aug 12

I think we can take it that Italian for thigh-strain is "cramp" :o)
Pudil was a good boy and didn't attempt to play on so minimal damage I'd say. The start of the season will see more of these niggles if the lads don't warm up thoroughly ... Get on it coaches, this isn't the Mediterranean.

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tonyevans22 says...
12:35am Fri 10 Aug 12

This all sounds so promising,we sign Hall who is unfit and battling fitness,and all the others are bleeding struggling with Fitness issues and Niggles.This is hardly what we want to hear a week before the season starts.I bet all our boys from last season are fit and looked after themselves,some of these players need to take a look at themselves to what they do to keep fit.

Maybe Zola should arrange some Reserve games for these to play in so they can get some sort of match fitness.

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Bringe says...
12:48am Fri 10 Aug 12

For once in the last 20 years we have enough depth, Hall won't be needed immediately etc. I suggest we all get used to the idea it won't be the same eleven starting all 48+ games this season and different players will peak at different times ... if we are going to challenge that will be essential.

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aefevans says...
8:47am Fri 10 Aug 12

Pudil and Abdi out of the Wycombe game? Fine. I can live with that. I would much rather they were at their best for the Palace match and the league going forward anyway. Don't mean to be presumptous, but if our reserves can beat Gillingham 3-0 then a decent (or semi-decent) starting XI shouldn't fare too badly. That is assuming we don't send out Ross Jenkins.

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jasonwatford says...
10:44am Fri 10 Aug 12

Spot on aefevans

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