Watford boss Walter Mazzarri defended his decisions in last weekend's draw with West Ham after allowing now-injured Mauro Zarate to remain on the field when the Argentine picked up an early knock.

Sofiane Feghouli's foul on the midfielder left him requiring treatment - but after telling Mazzarri he was ok to continue, was allowed to return to the game.

In first-half injury time, though, the Italian head coach would live to rue that decision, as Zarate ruptured a cruciate ligament when attempting to turn and will now miss the rest of the campaign.

Mazzarri said the injury had come as a result of the "cost" of Feghouli's original foul on Zarate - but defended his own decision to allow the 29-year-old to play on.

“I wanted to take him out,” Mazzarri said. “I asked him how he felt many times, but because of pride or a desire to keep playing he stayed on.

“I listened to both the medical team and the player. The doctors listened to him too. Without performing a scan, it’s difficult to determine what exactly is wrong.”


It is hoped Zarate will be fit to return to action by the start of next season, and will be joined on the sidelines on Saturday by Christian Kabasele, Nordin Amrabat, and Ben Watson.

Costel Pantilimon and Daryl Janmaat both face a race against time to prove their fitness, but Mazzarri indicated neither would be fit to start against Southampton.