Injured Watford winger Gerard Deulofeu is currently living with his physiotherapist during lockdown in Spain in order to return to fitness as soon as possible.

The 26-year-old needed surgery following an injury in the Hornets' last home game against Liverpool before government measures meant that football games could no longer take place.

After heading home to Barcelona for the surgery, the winger made the choice to move in with his physiotherapist when it became clear that tight lockdown measures would soon be implemented in order to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Speaking on the official club podcast, he said: "I'm in his home. We expected, before the country stopped, that if I have to go at home and my physio has to come two times per day to me, it would be impossible. We expected it [the lockdown] so I'm here [at his house]. I'm really comfortable and I can do physio two times per day and we can get better every day.”

The injury, that happened during a collision with Virgil Van Dijk, ruptured Deulofeu's anterior cruciate ligament and tore his meniscus, meaning he had to leave the field on a stretcher. 

Now, just over a month on, he is looking forward to ditching his crutches and returning to both walking and cycling within the next fortnight.

“It was difficult surgery as the meniscus was really bad," he said.

"The first six weeks were hard, but since I left the hospital, I have been working two times a day. The first two months are important with that type of injury, with the extension of the leg and flexing the most important thing. Then you have to build more muscle as the muscle has completely gone. In ten to 12 days, I can start doing the bike and walking and leave the crutches. I am happy at that and looking forward to it every day.”