Javi Gracia says his choice of goalkeeper for the FA Cup quarter-final against Crystal Palace will not be swayed by sentiment. Heurelho Gomes has kept a clean sheet in each of his three FA Cup appearances this season but the ever-popular Brazilian could still make way for Ben Foster.
The 38-year-old plans to retire in the summer, so could be set for a final Vicarage Road appearance if selected by Gracia. “Everyone knows how important Heurelho Gomes is for me and the club,” said the Spanish head coach. “He is ready, like the rest of the players.
He is a good option, but I will decide. “I have three good goalkeepers. Ben Foster is very good, Heurelho is very good and Pontus Dahlberg is as well. “In different moments they are all very, very good. Heurelho is a very good player, a very good person and I’m sure he will be important if he is playing or not.”
Gracia has a full squad at his disposal and knows he will have to disappoint some players. “It is difficult as I have all the squad ready and fit. I have to decide and suffer, and it is not easy to take these decisions. It’s my job,” the Watford boss said at a press conference.
“I always decide thinking what is the best for the team. We have lots of options and all of them are high-quality players. “You know I never say my first XI (before the game) and today is not an exception. It is something I’ll decide before the game.”
