Training this afternoon will decide if Watford are once again able to select from a fully available squad when they host Rotherham United at Vicarage Road tomorrow.

Head coach Valerien Ismael has been in the very rare position for the last few weeks and having every player fit, and last weekend he had no suspensions either.

However, this morning he indicated that might not be the case tomorrow.

“We have some players to assess as we have some issues. We will make those assessments later today, and then take the final decision,” he said.

“It’s just a couple but I don’t want to mention any names as we still have today, and then we will see.”

After playing out an extremely dull 0-0 draw at Huddersfield a week ago, Watford have the chance to go into the international break on the back of an unbeaten run as the Millers have yet to win away this season.

However, as fellow strugglers Huddersfield showed , that can mean facing a defensive approach.

“We saw last week that a team came up with another way to play against us, and we’ve worked on the solution for that approach during the week with the players,” said Ismael.

“That makes us more ready to face any situation, but at some point the players need to step up and take more risk, and force the opponents to defend more.

“When teams set up that way it is always difficult, and not only for us. If you saw the Luton/Liverpool game last week, it was exactly the same and even for Liverpool it was very difficult to break down.

“And if you concede a goal then it will be even more difficult.

“The key is to be patient and also to be really ruthless in creating chances and scoring goals.

“At the end, what will make the difference is your desire to get in a one v one situation, to shoot at goal, to cross for an assist.

“That is what we need, to be putting pressure on the opponents all the time.”

No team has drawn more games than the six Watford have shared the spoils in this season.

“It just shows that at the minute we are on the edge and we are going in the right direction,” said the Watford boss.

“It’s a big motivation for us to keep pushing. We are close to where we want to be now, and we need to force the door open and go through it.”

Having made hard work of beating basement boys Sheffield Wednesday at Vicarage Road recently, a game against a team that has just one point and three goals on their travels is another potential banana skin.

“All games are difficult, that’s why I’m not worried when I face a game in the Championship because I know how tough it is,” said Ismael.

“I trust my players and I believe in them, they work well. The desire is there and I know the guys are really focussed.

“We were in a tough situation and the guys faced all the challenges we’ve had.

“I think Sheffield Wednesday at home was another banana skin, but we overcame that challenge. Now here’s the next challenge and we have big determination to face those challenges.”

Tomorrow’s game will mean Watford’s last three home fixtures will have been against the teams currently 24th, 18th and 22nd in the table.

Does the weight of expectation at Vicarage Road mean it’s currently a little easier to play away?

“We have our own pressure,” said Ismael.

“I think we understand our fans and why they have expected more, but on the other hand a lot of opponents come here and show us a lot of respect.

“When they come to us they stay compact and wait for a moment or for set pieces.

“It’s something we face week in, week out and it’s no surprise anymore.

“The good thing is, it’s up to us. We’ve got the key and we know what we have to do.

“It is in our hands to create chances and lift the crowd, and we have all the potential. We just need to express ourselves on the pitch.”

Since that win over Wednesday, midfielder Imran Louza has been on the bench and played only 29 minutes.

“We are ready to give a chance to everyone, but we need to feel that everybody is ready to compete,” Ismael explained.

“It’s up to the players, including Imran, to put himself in the starting XI.

“We know the quality he has got but at the minute it seems that he fights with himself and he hasn’t found a way back to the team.”

Tomorrow’s league game will be Watford’s 16th league match of the season, thus taking them through the first third of the campaign. What does Ismael see as the goals and targets now?

“I think it’s too early at the minute to speak about our goals, but it’s clear that if you review all the games we should have more points,” he said.

“If you have more points then clearly you are more likely to be competing in the top six.

“We have ambition, but I need first to have more certainty and stability in our game, and that is what we are seeking.

“After the international break we have very tough fixtures with all the top teams in the league, and after Christmas we will have a clearer picture of where we are and what we can push for.”