Midfielder Edo Kayembe returns to the squad ahead of Watford’s trip to Norwich City tomorrow night.

The Dr Congo international has mot featured since scoring in the 3-3 draw at Plymouth Argyle on New Year’s Day.

He was then due to represent his country at the African Cup of Nations but had to withdraw with injury.

Kayembe returned to London Colney to recover and resumed training last week – and it may ne no coincidence that Watford have won only one of their five league games while he’s been on the sidelines.

“Edo is back in the squad for Norwich and I think that is great news,” said Valerien Ismael.

“He made massive steps last week, and I think now he is more ready to be able to compete – not from the beginning but at least he is able to help us.”

Striker Vakoun Bayo limped off after only a minute of Saturday’s home loss against Leicester, and although the extend of the hamstring problem is still be seen, the head coach is confident he won’t be out for long.

“Bayo will have a scan and be assessed, and I think we have to wait to see exactly what sort of injury it is and how bad it is, but we expect him to miss a couple of weeks,” said the Watford boss.

“Jeremy Ngakia is completely back with the squad and training with us.

“Now the plan is for him to have a full week of training sessions, and then to play at least 45 minutes of a game with the Under-21s and then we take it from there.”

Ismael has been quite open about not rushing players back into action, and has already said striker Emmanuel Dennis is not ready to start against the Canaries tomorrow night.

“I know the Championship so well and it is ruthless. If you rush too much then it can be really disastrous for us,” said the head coach.

“If you push a player for one game and he misses five weeks, then you’ve lost him just because you pushed him.

“Maybe at the end of the season, when it’s all about getting the points to get across the line, we can push a little more.

“My purpose is just to have the maximum availability of players, be ready for the final push and have all the players ready for that.

“We always have to be careful and make decisions depending upon the type of injury.

“If it’s a kick, a twisted ankle or tissue damage, then we have to make different decisions.”

The Hornets have not been helped by a punishing schedule, with tomorrow's game at Carrow Road their fifth in 16 days.

“It’s always more difficult when you’re going Saturday/Tuesday or Sunday/Wednesday because you only have two days between the games.

“When you are going from Tuesday to Saturday it is more manageable because you have three days.

“You just have to deal with the situation, and I think that because we have played so much in the last few weeks that the players are learning how to manage it themselves.”