Head coach Walter Mazzarri admits he took a gamble by taking a chance on Valon Behrami's fitness during Watford's defeat to Stoke.

Behrami was taken off with a hamstring injury during the recent draw with Crystal Palace.

But due to the club's injury crisis, Mazzarri rushed him back for tonight's game and the midfielder appeared to suffer a relapse which forced him off at half-time.

Mazzarri said: “Of course it was a gamble. It was my gamble and my decision.

"This is something I had to do because we’re in a total emergency. Unfortunately it was completely my decision and was nothing to do with the rest."

The Italian added: “Due to the total emergency that we’re in I took the responsibility of making Behrami play.

"We as a team all need players like him that will go on the pitch no matter what and he gave a big contribution to the team."