Team News: Baah & Doumbia Update

Tom Cleverley understands the importance of being cautious with Kwadwo Baah as the exciting winger returns to contention for the match against Plymouth Argyle on Saturday (March 29, 12.30pm KO).

Baah has been out of action since picking up an injury in the defeat to Preston North End on January 21, unfortunately pausing his breakthrough season with the Hornets.

The Head Coach knows the effect Baah can have on games, but is also aware of the risk in forcing too much upon him given his recent lengthy spell on the sidelines.

“KB is ready,” Cleverley said. “But when someone has had two months, or two-and-a-half months out, I have to be careful that I don’t go bang.

 “He is ready to play a significant part on Saturday which is a huge boost to us all. Kwadwo is someone that turns a lot of our control and possession into goalscoring opportunities.

“He is that player who can produce something in a one-v-one moment which is maybe what we have been missing recently.

“We are a team at the minute that is getting the ball into the final third so much with a lot of control and ease. Why are we not turning that into key moments - it sometimes is just simply personnel.

“We have got a lot of midfielders on the pitch at the minute, and Kwadwo is that player to dominate someone in a one-v-one, and create a spark.”

Furthermore, Cleverley spoke highly of Mamadou Doumbia as the striker edges ever closer to his return from the injury sustained against Millwall on March 8.

“We expect Mamadou to be ready at some part of the Bristol City/Hull week,” he explained. “More likely Hull, but he is young so he heals very quickly.

“He is a very good professional, and he has got an infectious work ethic that rubs off on a lot of people around him; how quickly he has learnt the language, how respectful he is.

“He has got an infectious attitude that is really good for the environment, as well as on the pitch. It should be in and around the Hull game.”

Another longer-term absentee is midfielder Pierre Dwomoh, who has been missing since the Emirates FA Cup third-round defeat to Fulham.

On the Belgian, the Head Coach added: “It is a funny injury, similar to Kwadwo’s. It is the thigh, but it is an injury I know - it is the one that finished me off.

“You have to be careful with it sometimes, and Pierre is in a very competitive part of the pitch for us, where we have a lot of experience and quality, so he is someone who will have to be patient.

“We respect his qualities. He won’t be fit for this weekend, but he will be available for the Bristol City match.”

Amin Nabizada is also recovering well from the muscle injury that saw him unfortunately miss out on a maiden England Under-18s call-up.

“He is back on the pitch rehabbing, and he will be available for Bristol City, and also be available for the FA Youth Cup [semi-final against Manchester City],” Cleverley explained.

The Head Coach has no new injury concerns from the eight senior Hornets who went away with their countries during the international break, whilst Angelo Ogbonna will not be available as he recovers from a minor procedure unrelated to football.

James Abankwah will serve his one-game suspension following his red card against Oxford United, whilst Kévin Keben remains on the sidelines with a hamstring issue.