Francisco Sierralta underwent one of the biggest tests there is in the Championship last weekend according to his head coach.
The Watford defender spent most of the game marking Coventry striker Ellis Sims, who scored the Sky Blues early goal and led the line for the visitors.
Sierralta was replaced near the end of the game, but there are no concerns about his fitness ahead of the trip to face Norwich tomorrow.
“When we ask a player to go one v one with Ellis Sims for a lot of the game, it’s demanding,” said Tom Cleverley.
“There was a little bit of exhaustion from him, but I thought he did excellently on Saturday.
“As far as lone strikers go in the league, there won’t be a bigger test than Sims.
“So he came off more due to exhaustion than anything else.”
The injury during the match to Giorgi Chakvetadze, who looks like he might be fit for the game at Norwich, meant more game time for Rocco Vata.
“Rocco is an exciting player,” said Cleverley.
“He has top technical attributes but he’s direct, he wants to hurt teams in behind, and he has good finishing off both feet.
“He is learning the out-of-possession role and the dark arts of the Championship.
“He is someone I want to integrate more and more, so he gets more experience and exposure, and that could happen this weekend.”
Last Saturday’s game also saw a first outing in Watford colours for Festy Ebosele, signed on loan from Udinese last month.
“Clearly he has physical attributes with his speed and his directness, and his strength as well, they are his real assets,” Cleverley said.
“What we are looking for in that position is what he has.
“Whether it’s from the start or coming on for half an hour, I don’t think many people would want to face Festy when he’s really direct.
“It’s our job as coaches to implement the way we play and our game plan, our patterns and everything.
“Slowly but surely, as he understands, he’ll become more and more important.”
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