Roberto Pereyra made his long-awaited return to action as he featured in Watford’s 2-1 pre-season friendly defeat against Rangers.

The Argentine playmaker suffered a meniscus injury at Manchester City last December, which ruled him out for the remainder of last season.

Having returned to training earlier this summer, the 26-year-old came on for the final 25 minutes of the behind closed doors friendly against the Scottish side.

There was further positive fitness news for the Hornets as Kiko Femenia made his first appearance for the club after recovering from a minor injury.

The Hornets went in trailing at the interval after a well-contested first 45 minutes after Daniel Candeias’ goal late in the first half.

The Rangers man did well to reach a deep cross and headed home via the upright to put his side ahead.

Watford started the second half with renewed attacking impetus and drew level midway through the second half.

New signing Nathaniel Chalobah had a big role in the goal as his driven shot cannoned back off the bar and Stefano Okaka turned in the rebound.

From that point on Marco Silva’s side looked the far likelier to score the go-ahead goal as they went close on a number of occasions.

However, it would be Rangers who claimed victory as they hit Watford with a sucker punch in the dying moments of the match.

Martyn Waghorn provided the late blow, collecting the ball in the box and finding the bottom corner with a smart finish.

Watford now turn their attention to their penultimate pre-season game of the summer when they take on Aston Villa on Saturday.

Watford: Pantilimon (GK) (Bachmann, HT); Janmaat (Femenia, HT), Prödl (c) (Kaboul, HT), Kabasele, Mason (Rowan, 84); Doucouré, Chalobah (Watson, 64); Amrabat (Berghuis, 64), Capoue (Hughes, HT), Success (Pereyra, 64); Okaka (Sinclair, 64).