Aidy Boothroyd has made a surprising selection for the high noon showdown with Hull City in the first leg of the play-off semi-finals.

All the signs were that Tamas Priskin would get the nod to replace the suspended Darius Henderson, but, instead, the Hornets boss has opted to bring in Lionel Ainsworth.

This means Tommy Smith could partner Nathan Ellington in attack, or Watford could go with a 4-3-3 formation with Smith playing in a creative midfield role and Ainsworth and Jobi McAnuff providing the support to Ellington.

Phil Brown, meanwhile, has made two changes to the team that went down 1-0 at Ipswich Town in their last game of the regular season.

Nick Barmby and Richard Garcia have been brought in to replace Caleb Folan, who drops to the bench, and the absent Dean Marney.

Watford: Lee; Doyley, Bromby, Shittu, Sadler; Smith, Eustace, Williamson; Ainsworth, Ellington, McAnuff. Substitutes: DeMerit, Priskin, Mariappa, O'Toole, Poom.

Hull City: Myhill; Ricketts, Turner, Brown, Dawson; Garcia, Ashbee, Barmby, Hughes; Campbell, Windass. Substitutes: Doyle, Walton, Folan, Fagan, Duke.