Ikechi Anya and Samba Diakité could return to the Watford squad for Saturday’s Championship clash with Middlesbrough but three players have been ruled out due to injury.

Lewis McGugan (thigh) and Fitz Hall (Achilles) will miss the game while Almen Abdi will also be absent due to his foot problem. The club expect to find out whether the midfielder will play again this season next week.

Joel Ekstrand is doubtful after he came off against Birmingham City on Tuesday with a knee injury.

Anya and Diakité are available for selection after missing the midweek victory while Mathias Ranegie has returned to light training.

With another match to come against Yeovil Town next Tuesday, Sannino wask asked if we would rotate his squad. 

He said: "The decision will be made by what the players show me and how they feel. We have some players that are injured and then others that have played every game.

“But I am sure the players that go out on the pitch are the best ones. The 18 in the squad are the best players for me on that match-day.”

Middlesbrough have lost just one of their last ten league fixtures while Watford are unbeaten this month.

Sannino has lost just once at Vicarage Road and hopes to keep that record intact.

He said: “I always say the supporters in the stadium when we play at home are fantastic. This is a starting point and it is very important for us. The crowd have always been fantastic with us and they have helped us a lot in game where we were struggling.

“I have a little record in the past because in three consecutive seasons at Varese we never lost at home.

“I would like to reproduce this here but I need time to build the fortress.”

Goals were initially hard to come by when Sannino joined Watford but the Hornets have scored 11 goals in their last six matches in all competitions.

Troy Deeney netted the winner against Birmingham while Fernando Forestieri has three goals in his last five games.

“I think the supporters are happy because they are scoring,” Sannino said. “I am happy with Troy and Nando, not because they are scoring and showing a good partnership, but because they are able to help the team when we are out of possession.

“They are running a lot and showing a great desire to help the team. But don’t forget, I’ve got Park Chu-Young and Ranegie on the bench and when they are fully fit I am sure they will help me a lot.”