Watford have agreed to let Ismaila Sarr travel to meet up with Senegal today to undergo medical checks on his knee injury.

Sources say the player is merely going for the examinations as part of "protocol" and that he "obviously can't play". He is expected to return next week to continue his recovery.

The news follows a dispute between the Hornets and the winger's national team, which has rumbled on throughout the last few days, after the player was selected to play at the African Cup of Nations.

Sarr is currently working on rehabilitation on ligament damage sustained during the 4-1 win over Manchester United at Vicarage Road in November, and is not expected back until early next month.

However, the West African nation's football federation accused Watford of preventing him from playing at the tournament, even after they were informed of both the rehabilitation process and likely timeframe of recovery following the injury.

This led to Watford releasing a statement on January 2 explaining why he cannot play at the tournament.

It reads: "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."

Senegal has now taken the Hornets up on their invitation, which is understood to be the purpose of Sarr's trip and, due to his injury, the club are still not expecting him to play any part in the competition, which kicks off later this month in Cameroon.