Watford Football Club has become embroiled in a second Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) row.

The Senegal football federation has accused the Hornets of refusing to release injured winger Ismaila Sarr for the tournament.

It comes after Nigeria accused Watford of "baring fangs" after the club objected to top goalscorer Emmanuel Dennis being named in the squad. It has since been confirmed Dennis won't be taking part in AFCON.

Read more: Emmanuel Dennis to stay in Watford instead of going to AFCON

The latest incident involves Sarr, who has been out of action for Watford since November 20 after picking up a knee ligament injury in the 4-1 win over Manchester United.

Sarr is not expected to be fit to play until next month but he was named in Senegal's squad for the AFCON, which runs from January 9 to February 6 in Cameroon.

But the Senegal football federation released a statement last night in which it said Watford had "blocked" the 23-year-old from joining up with the national team, adding Sarr had "expressed his desire" to go to Cameroon.

It said: "By mail on Friday, December 31, the English club Watford notified on the basis of arguments equally specious as fallacious its decision to block the player Ismaila Sarr, who has expressed his desire to join the Senegalese selection for the next Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

The federation added: "The Senegal Football Federation wishes to express with this communication its deep condemnation of the disrespectful, pernicious and discriminatory behaviour of Watford's hierarchy who look by all means to prevent a player from playing with his national team."

Premier League stars heading to AFCON are set to leave by January 3 and Senegal said it had responded to Watford's correspondence "immediately". Senegal has threatened to take the matter up with FIFA if required.

Watford responded to Senegal's statement this afternoon by reiterating Sarr's injury status.

The statement read: "Ismaïla Sarr suffered a knee ligament injury on November 20 in the match against Manchester United and has not been fit to play for Watford FC since that date.

"In early December, the Club wrote to the Senegal Football Federation outlining the clinical diagnosis of Ismaïla's injury and immediately followed that up by supplying the MRI scans detailing the extent of the injury. After further consultation with medical experts, we informed the Federation of Ismaïla's rehabilitation process and likely timeframe of recovery.

"Within the past 10 days, the Club has reiterated to the Senegal Football Federation the player's current medical status and recovery schedule.

"The Hornets have have also invited the Senegal Football Federation to instruct their own independent surgeon to confirm the diagnosis and rehabilitation period."

While Sarr's status remains unclear, Emmanuel Dennis won't be going to Cameroon but fellow Hornets Adam Masina, Imran Louza, and William Troost-Ekong are.