Watford head coach Claudio Ranieri is hopeful that his new signings can plug the gaps in his leaky defence after a 4-1 defeat at Leicester City.

It was the second time his side have conceded four goals at the King Power this season, and other than a Carabao Cup match against Crystal Palace, they have not kept a clean sheet all campaign.

Last week the arrivals of Hassane Kamara, Samir and Edo Kayembe were all announced as the Hornets look to strengthen their weak back line.

Speaking after the FA Cup loss to the Foxes, the Italian also said he was pleased to get away without sustaining any injuries.

"For this reason we bouthgt these three players, Samir Kamara and Kayembe," he said. "To have another chance to fight together.

"The performance was good, but the priority was to save some players because for us it’s very important, the rest of season. I can say good luck to Leicester, last season they won the FA Cup and I wish them all best during the season.

"During the match we tried to do something good, we scored a goal for 2-1 and had two or three chances, maybe we have to shoot sometimes.

"At the end Leicester scored goals and we didn’t, well done Leicester.

"For me it was good first of all I have no injured players, that's very important and that's why I gave a rest to Dennis, King and to others. Now it's important to recover all my players."

Ranieri is also hopeful that he will soon have Christian Kabsele at his disposal again, but fears it could be months before Nicolas Nkoulou is available.

"I think Kabasele could be back in two weeks," he said, "He started the first training session with us yesterday, now he has to train and achieve the level of his teammates. Nkoulou is again out and I think it will be until the end of March or April."