Will Hughes is expected to be fit in time to face Everton, despite the Watford midfielder sitting out first team training this week.

The 23-year-old had to be replaced early in the second half of Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester City as he suffered a recurrence of the hip injury which had troubled him earlier this season.

Watford head coach Javi Gracia revealed Hughes has been forced to sit out training, but is hopeful he will make the trip to Goodison Park to take on Marco Silva’s Everton.

Gracia said: “Will didn’t train today (Thursday) and we will see tomorrow and the day after tomorrow if he is available.

“He is not training with the team at the moment but I am confident he will be available for the game.”

Watford’s squad is in good health heading into the clash with the Toffees and Gracia reported no new injury complaints at his pre-match briefing.

Tom Cleverley has stepped up his return, featuring for Watford’s Under-23s against Millwall this afternoon, and Gracia says the midfielder could make a return to first-team action soon.

He said: “Tom Cleverley is improving and I can see him playing better day-by-day and training better. I think he can come back quickly.”

Adalberto Penaranda is still sidelined and has not been training with the first team.

The Under-23s were leading 1-0 through a Michael Folivi goal when the game had to be abandoned in the second half due to a power cut at Wingate & Finchley's ground.