Watford again look set to be without Will Hughes when they seek to end their poor run of results at home to Leicester City on Boxing Day.

Marco Silva had suggested the midfielder could make an earlier than expected return from a hamstring injury against Brighton & Hove Albion today, but the former Derby County was ultimately not included in the match-day 18 in the 1-0 defeat and the Hornets head coach does not expect to have him available to face the Foxes either.

“No, I think not,” said Silva when asked about the possibility of Hughes being ready for Tuesday. “He’s another important player for us and when he was in the team he did very well, he performed very well, but for the next match no.”

Another player who was unable to be involved at the Amex Stadium was Isaac Success.

Silva confirmed the Nigerian international had suffered a problem with his knee after more than two months on the sidelines, which also ruled him out of being involved for the Huddersfield Town defeat last week having been on the bench for the previous two games.