Gracia Confirms Capoue Absence

Javi Gracia says Etienne Capoue will miss Sunday’s Premier League clash with Chelsea but he is not a doubt for the FA Cup final.

French midfielder Capoue has enjoyed a standout season for the Hornets, featuring 37 times across all competitions and he has chipped in with some important goals, including strikes against Queens Park Rangers and Crystal Palace in the FA Cup.

However, the 30-year-old picked up a groin injury during last weekend’s defeat to Wolves and Gracia has now confirmed he won’t be risked at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, but he could return for the final league game of the season against West Ham and he is certainly not a doubt for the FA Cup final with Manchester City on May 18.

“Capoue has a problem in his groin,” Gracia was quoted as saying by the Watford club website. “He is not training with the team and he won’t be available. “I think it’s a little problem that doesn’t allow him to play this weekend, but for the next game I think it’s possible.”

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One of Tom Cleverley or Nathaniel Chalobah will be expected to fill the void left by Capoue and Gracia has faith that both players are capable of stepping up to the plate. “We have players for the next game who are ready,” the Spaniard added. “We have Chalobah, we have Tom Cleverley playing in this position. We have other options to play there.

It is not a problem.” Watford will be boosted by the availability of captain Troy Deeney, who returns from suspension following his sending off against Arsenal last month, although Sebastian Prodl, Domingos Quina and Miguel Britos will all miss out, the latter after having a wisdom tooth removed.