Watford owner Laurence Bassini has issued an apology to the supporters for his absence at last night's fans' forum.

Bassini told the Watford Observer this evening he has not been in the club offices all week and claimed he has only been at Vicarage Road one day out of the last eight.

The Stanmore businessman added that he needed an MRI scan last week following, what he described, as a bad fall on holiday recently, which resulted in burst blood vessels in his back and chest.

Bassini's failure to attend last night angered a lot of supporters and chairman Graham Taylor admitted he was also "extremely disappointed" the Hornets' owner did not attend, whilst saying he must make the "assumption" he was indeed ill.

"I was too ill to attend - and am still at home unwell today," Bassini told the club website this evening.

"I can understand that supporters feel frustrated and let down that they were unable to talk with me directly. However this was not a planned absence.

"I had an accident on holiday during October half-term, which led to a further complication upon my return. Then I was taken ill during the Peterborough match.

"I just about made the Brighton game but fell too unwell to travel to Middlesbrough on Saturday. That would be perhaps only the second game I've missed since I took over the club back in April.

"I do not like missing matches and I did not enjoy being unable to answer questions and air my views at the fans' forum last night."

Bassini initially informed the club he was too ill to attend at 1.30pm and the Watford Observer understands Hornets' officials then had further discussions during the next few hours before it was confirmed he would not attend - at which point it was adjudged to be too late to cancel the event.

Bassini said: "I'm sorry if there is anyone who feels it was a wasted journey. I hope that everyone who was there found part, if not all, of the evening useful.

"I'd like to make it clear that I did phone through to the club earlier in the afternoon to make them aware of my likely absence."

Watford state Bassini will uphold his 'pledge' to answer supporters' questions directly, although a second 'in-person' forum has been described as unlikely.

The club statement says discussions with BBC Three Counties regarding a midweek phone-in have taken place and the Watford Observer has requested a web chat with the owner, where supporters can submit questions.

A few of the issues which Bassini was likely to face were answered last night, such as the East Stand and South-West corner, and the club released two further comments on the PA system and financing.

Bassini said: "The PA system is currently being installed; there is machinery working its way round the ground putting the last of the cables in.

"We hope to have the whole project handed over by the end of the month in time for the Leeds United home match in early December."

He added: "I am just about to input a further £1million into the club to enusre the club remains financially stable for the month ahead.

"Then there's the Red Lion, the south-west corner and the pitch project - all of which were covered last night, I understand - which we're progressing with.

"As I've said before, I'm here to ensure Watford fans have a stadium to be proud of in the future, not for short-term personal gains."