There’s not one answer, reason or solution to the Watford injury crisis. That is the message from Slaven Bilic as he heads to Reading tomorrow without 15 players.

The Hornets have injuries throughout the squad, most of them ruling the players out for weeks or even months, and many of them very similar.

However, Bilic said there is no one cause, and that trying to point fingers is not helpful.

“It’s probably a combination of everything, let’s be honest, and I include myself in that because it could be the training we are doing,” he said.

“The fact is, there is not one individual thing, and there is also bad luck.

“We are talking about this all the time. Even when you think much of it is bad luck you are still not happy about it. You want that sort of luck to end.

“There is no benefit in sitting here and saying how bad our luck is. There are so many factors to consider: training, home life, number of games, everything.

“We are trying all we can to stop these things happening but we must also accept that there are some injuries that occur two times in 100 – but with us, we’ve had four all at once. It’s crazy.

“The important thing is not to start pointing fingers or accusing each other, saying there is a bad atmosphere because that is not the case.

“There are things we can control and work on, and other things which are just bad luck that are out of our hands.”

Bilic watched Chelsea lose to Manchester City last night, and saw talk of the London club’s own injury issues.

“I watched Chelsea last night. They were saying they had six injuries before the game,” he said.

“Then they lost Sterling and Pulisic during the game to mean they have eight injured, and that’s why after the game Graham Potter said “when it rains, it pours”.

“They have eight injuries. That’s Chelsea, who have a giant squad and a top academy. They have lost five of their last eight games. So we are doing pretty good when you consider that.”

One player that has been absent since before Bilic took over is defender Kortney Hause, and the Watford boss does not know what will happen next with the loanee from Aston Villa.

“It is a real shame. Since I’ve been here there has been a bit of a difference of opinions about his treatment. He wants surgery, nobody else was in favour of surgery. And now it has been like that for three months.

“I don’t know what we are going to do. All that I know is that a top centre-back who is left footed and has Premier League experience has not been available since before I came.

“It’s a big blow but it has gone on for so long that you almost discount it. I’ve never seen him play since I came here, and that’s a shame.”