Christian Kabasele has returned to team training with Watford after missing the last five matches with a hamstring injury.

Pictures shared by the club's official social media accounts show the defender finally working with his teammates again, following a spell training on his own to regain fitness.

With a busy schedule around the corner, starting with three matches in the space of six days against Leicester City, Chelsea and Manchester City, it is likely to Hornets will need to make the most of their full squad depth, so the Belgian's return will come as good news, after an injury to Chilean defender Francisco Sierralta had threatened to send the club into December with only three first choice centre backs available.

Despite his return, the club's defensive situation still looks slightly precarious, given that the African Cup of Nations is on the horizon.

William Troost-Ekong, Adam Masina, Ismaila Sarr and Imran Louza are all expected to depart at the end of December, while Emmanuel Dennis may also be called up.

With this in mind, it is understood that defensive additions are being considered for the January transfer window to try and alleviate the potential pressure those absences could place on the remaining squad members.