Preview: TC On Options In Defence & Attack

Tom Cleverley admitted his experience of playing alongside Francisco Sierralta for Watford means he can trust the Chilean to deputise in James Abankwah’s absence.

The central defender impressed in place of Mattie Pollock against Oxford United, and the Chilean looks set to retain his spot against Plymouth Argyle on Saturday (March 29, 12.30pm KO).

This time it is likely to be alongside Pollock, due to Abankwah’s suspension and the unavailability of Kévin Keben & Angelo Ogbonna.

This will come after Sierralta travelled more than 14,000 miles during the international break whilst on duty with Chile.

On his team-mate from the 2020/21 promotion-winning squad, Cleverley said: “He's solid - you know what you're going to get.

“He played behind me in the promotion season, so I know all the strengths that Fran brings.

“Against a team like Plymouth, who play with three centre-halves and can carry an aerial threat, Fran's presence in that area of the pitch will really be important.

“Angelo Ogbonna has had a non-footballing medical issue - not a serious one - so we wish Angelo well.

“For Keben, it’s been the story of his season. Just when he looks to get going, he has a setback.

“So, yes, it leaves us short, but Fran's done that trip to Chile many, many times and he's experienced at this level and he knows what it takes, so I've got no issues with that.”

Playing too many of those who have returned from representing their countries is something Cleverley is wary of doing, although he feels one player who has returned from the break revitalised is Vakoun Bayo.

The striker found himself out of the team before the break, with Edo Kayembe playing out-of-position up front.

“It plays a part in team selection for sure,” Cleverley continued. “I feel like a couple of the return games after international breaks, playing too many of those guys, we've been quite flat.

“So, we'll learn from that, but we've got the squad to adjust. We've got some players returning from injury and we're looking stronger and stronger now.

“I’ve been really pleased with Bayo’s reaction to that [being on the bench]. 

“Obviously, he had the birth of his newborn baby, and I saw him going through a little bit of a dip, but he's come back from international duty motivated and he looks back to his old self.

“He’s got every chance this weekend.”