The news that both Joao Pedro and Tom Cleverley are being considered for a return to action at Reading tomorrow was like a transfer window in itself for head coach Slaven Bilic.

The Watford boss has never been able to pick Cleverley since he arrived at the club, while Pedro has been sidelined since Boxing Day.

And while neither is guaranteed to be involved tomorrow, the pair just being in contention means Bilic can see light at the end of a long injury tunnel.

“We came through a very difficult period and the guys who played did everything to keep us in a good position,” he said.

“I think three of our best players – Sarr, Pedro and Louza – since I’ve been here and possibly all season have been together on the pitch for 20 minutes against Norwich. Sarr and Louza started and Pedro was coming back from injury.

“When Sarr and Pedro were together, we were looking good and looking like we could win in most of those games.

“But they are all coming back now. That’s massive. That is like a transfer window for us. It’s a good feeling and a big boost for whole team.

“Tom and Joao are back and we will have to be very cautious with them, but it’s good to have them back. We’ll see tomorrow what part they can play. Maybe one, maybe both of them.

“Then in a week or a couple of weeks we’ll have more of them back: Imran Louza and Ken Sema, and then after them Christian Kabasele, who will need three weeks.

“With these players coming back it’s all about balance. You have to be optimistic and know they can do it, and not walk on eggs.

“When you are coming back, what is missing is matches. And you don’t have a pre-season where you can organise a few games. You have to use a bit of planning and patience.”

That balance of wanting to bring injured players back without asking so much of them they go back into the treatment room was why Keinan Davis only played the first half at Middlesbrough.

“Last week it was planned that Davis would play the first 45 minutes regardless of the score at the time. Anything more would have been a risk.

“That will be the plan with these other players as they come back into the team. They are the reason why I am feeling positive now.

“The combination of the players coming back and the players we have brought in means we’re in a much better situation than we were four or five weeks ago.”

Bilic was pragmatic when reflecting upon the transfer window.

“We did some business, a few players out and some players in. We refreshed our defence and in the attack we added two players: one is homegrown and experienced in Assombalonga, and Araujo who is young and exciting,” he said.

“Overall we did ok. We have added players who look very interesting for the future but I think hopefully also they will help us straight away. My job is to make them all gel.

“Unfortunately we didn’t bring players in a couple of positions where we really needed players, a winger and in midfield.

“Of course we tried to get other players in, but it didn’t happen. That’s it. Now the window is over, it’s finished and no more talking about that.

“We have a job to do now. We have a few players in, we have players returning, and it is the job of me and my staff to make them all gel as quickly as possible.

“But I am positive because of the new players and also because we have players who are coming back from the medical room.”

The Watford boss admitted he has changed formation, shape and players’ positions more than he would have liked in recent weeks, just to deal with the injury situation.

“We have enough defensive players and tomorrow we will be playing people in their natural positions. It’s not like when we had 16 injuries, and we were having to rotate and explain to some players that they had to play in a different position.

“Hopefully now that period is over. The players showed great courage, character and determination to come alive through that difficult spell.”

And Bilic admitted that now his squad is starting to reassemble itself, he will look to play what he prefers: four at the back.

“We’ve been mixing systems up, but if you ask me what system do I prefer when everyone is fit, or when you are at the beginning of the season and making your squad, then it’s four at the back. I prefer that.

“Of course it all depends on the quality you have in defence, but it’s equally important that you have a good number nine, a good number ten, the right people in midfield.

“The formation you play can be decided on whether you have wing backs or full backs. It’s not just down to central defenders.

“However we have brought in two good players with experience. Hoedt has played in good leagues and for the Dutch team so he has good experience.

“Porteous is young but a young player who has already gained a lot of experience. He’s played in Scotland which is very similar to the Championship.

“Up front Davis is back, and came through 45 minutes at Middlesbrough last week, so we are ok in attack now.

“We have Araujo obviously, who is a very exciting young player, and Assombalonga is a player with experience, lots of experience, of playing at this level.

“We have options now in most of the positions on the field now.”