Ross Jenkins' future looked very bright when he became a first team regular at the tender age of 17 but injuries have hampered his career in the last 18 months and he now faces an uncertain summer.

Jenkins impressed under Brendan Rodgers when he cemented his place in the Hornets' midfield in 2008 despite being a second-year scholar.

The 37 appearances during his debut campaign were followed by another 48 in the following two seasons, this time under Malky Mackay.

Jenkins started the first four games of the 2011/12 campaign but didn't make another start under Sean Dyche after the signing of Jonathan Hogg.

And last season the Wycombe man started against Bradford City in the Capital One Cup in August but then wasn't included in any other squads under Gianfranco Zola.

Jenkins joined League Two club Plymouth Argyle on loan in September 2012 but his stay ended after just two matches due to injury.

He then impressed initially at Barnet in March 2013 before losing his place and returning to Vicarage Road after his month-long loan had expired, making five appearances for the Bees.

Jenkins' contract ends this year but his Watford career was effectively over last summer when he wasn't given a squad number and wasn't taken on the pre-season trip to Italy, despite several scholars being included in the travelling party.

And this season has been another frustrating one. The 23-year-old had an unsuccessful trial at Leyton Orient and has since been plagued by a pelvis injury which has meant he was unable to go out on loan.

Jenkins is currently training with one of the club's medical staff as he attempts to regain fitness but it looks highly unlikely he will have enough time to secure a loan move this season.

Last week Watford's head of medical Marco Cesarini explained: "Ross was suffering with a long-term injury but he is better now. He is not part of the squad in terms of first team training because it was a decision taken at the start of the season. But we are still loving him because he is one of our players and deserves our attention.

"He got injured but we are trying to get him fit."

He added: "When players are injured they have their personal programmes with specific training but when he is fit, I expect him to train with the development squad."

Jenkins has made 78 starts and 17 substitute appearances for Watford.