Daryl Janmaat is targeting a return to first team action against Leicester City on Saturday after stepping up his recovery with Watford’s Under-23 side.

The Dutch international featured at right-back as the Hornets’ junior outfit claimed a 3-1 win over Coventry City last week.

Janmaat, who has been recovering from knee surgery since September, is now looking to make a return for the Watford first squad.

“It's good to be back,” he told the club website. “It was my decision to play. I wanted to play here and get some minutes because it's important to be sharp and be ready for next week. I'm totally back now and feeling fine. Hopefully I'm involved next week.”

Janmaat started the campaign as Watford’s first choice right-back, with Javi Gracia favouring him over Kiko Femenia and summer recruit Marc Navarro.

Femenia has since made the most of Janmaat’s injury problems to establish himself on the right side of the Hornets’ defence.

Janmaat reflects fondly on a productive start to the campaign and is now eager to regain his place in Gracia’s strongest XI.

“I think I had a good spell so it's a shame it happened,” said Janmaat. “The whole team was playing great, we only lost one against Man United. It's been frustrating being out, but that's football. Sometimes you are a bit unlucky. Now I try to get back in the team.”

The 29-year-old has also revealed the nature of his injury which he says he had been able to manage before advice from specialists recommended he undergo surgery.

“I did it a bit before, but against Fulham I tore it more and I felt a lot of problems after that,” Janmaat said.

“The doctor felt it was better to have an operation. The operation was on the meniscus in my right knee. I had a tear so we had to cut that away and repair it.”