Watford are hopeful Edoardo Bove avoided a serious knee injury at West Brom after he appeared in distress and received treatment at full-time.
The Hornets played well in parts at The Hawthorns, despite their 1-0 defeat, with Bove instrumental in midfield.
The Italian pulled his shirt over his face as the physios saw to him on the pitch after the game and was struggling to walk back into the dressing room, sparking fears of a serious injury.
A long-term absence for the 24-year-old would come as a horrible blow to Alessio Dionisi, but the coach revealed afterwards that the initial signs were positive - though Bove is very likely to miss Tuesday's home match against Preston.
He said: "I don't know well but I spoke with Edo in the dressing room and he is positive.
"I spoke with my staff and the idea is positive. Probably on Tuesday, Edo won't be there.
"On the pitch, Edo was important today and he played well for 90 minutes because there wasn't another midfielder. I used all my midfielders and all my defenders.
"In this moment, this is how it is."
Jordan Zemura was also substituted at half-time, leaving Albert Eames, Kevin Keben and Edo Kayembe to complete the game at full-back with all four established options injured.
Dionisi hopes Zemura will recover in time for Tuesday, when Omar Traore and Branimic Mlacic could also be fit.
He said: "I spoke with Zemura at the end of the first half and he stayed so-so.
"I think about the next match because Zemura is important to us.
"Edo Kayembe played probably for the first time in this position, but he played well there.
"The result today is not good today but probably a draw would've been right."
The Hornets had several opportunities to take something from the game, from Othmane Maamma's third-minute effort to close calls for Martin Payero and Soumaila Coulibaly in the second half.
Coulibaly did impress off the bench, though, while new signing Stephy Mavididi also made a difference as a second-half substitute.
Dionisi said: "It was impossible for Coulibaly to start because he arrived two days ago but I agree with you [that he played well].
"Mavididi stayed well [in terms of fitness] and played well. I'm happy because they are two good players for this team.
"It's not easy in this moment because before the international break there are eight matches, and two matches in the Carabao Cup.
"For us to play every three days now is not easy.
"In the last game there was [Branimir] Mlacic, today there wasn't. Probably on Tuesday, Bove won't be there.
"Today two new players played well and it's important for us to arrive better, to find positive results, and it's important to arrive to the international break.
"In this moment it's not easy for us to recover other players."
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