Watford are on the verge of signing Fulham defender Matthew Briggs on loan but we understand he won't be available for tomorrow night's televised game with Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Briggs is due at the Hornets' London Colney training base later today ahead of his loan move but we understand he will not be available for the game with Wolves.

The 21-year-old can play as a left-sided wide player but he has been signed due to the Hornets' injury problems at centre half. 

Briggs has made eight appearances for Fulham this season and also appeared for Championship side Bristol City three times in November.

The Fulham website describes Briggs as primarily a left back but adds he has "desirable attributes at both ends of the pitch. He can defend but he’s also extremely comfortable on the ball; he has pace, can pass, is athletic and can get up and down the pitch."

Briggs became the youngest player to feature in a Premier League game when he came on as a substitute against Middlesbrough in 2007.

Fulham boss Martin Jol seems to rate the player, who can also fill in at centre half, as the 21-year-old has made six starts and two substitute appearances for the Cottagers this season, either side of his stint with Bristol City.

Briggs has made 27 appearances for Fulham since his debut and also had brief spells on loan at Leyton Orient in 2010 and Peterborough United last year.

He has represented England at Under-16, Under-17, Under-19, Under-20 and Under-21 level.

Briggs was part of the England Under-19 squad which reached the final of the European Championship in 2009 and he also travelled to the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Egypt that year.