Almen Abdi and Fitz Hall both featured for Watford this afternoon as a strong Hornets side played out a 0-0 draw with Northampton in a friendly at London Colney.

The Swiss midfielder is continuing his recovery from a foot injury and gained more valuable time on the pitch before being replaced by Tom Rosenthal in the 77th minute.

Hall, who has been out injured with an Achilles problem, was introduced at half time in place of Marco Cassetti.

Goalkeeper Gary Woods played 90 minutes while Essaid Belkalem, Cassetti and Tommie Hoban started in defence.

Davide Faraoni, Sean Murray, Samba Diakite, Alexander Merkel joined new signing Albert Riera in midfield. Mathias Ranegie led the attack with Abdi playing off the Swedish striker.

Ranegie had the first chance of the contest after being played through by Riera but his shot was saved. Sean Murray then fired over for the hosts.

Cristian Lopez shot wide for the Cobblers before Riera and Abdi both came close for the Hornets.

Northampton had a good opportunity before the interval but Brennan Dickinson’s effort missed the target.

Hall, Joel Ekstrand and Lewis McGugan replaced Cassetti, Hoban and Murray at the break and McGugan saw a strike saved by Dave Snedker.

Further chances for Abdi and Ranegie came and went and in the final half-hour, Academy scholars Josh Doherty, Dennon Lewis, Bobson Bawling, Rosenthal, Carl Stewart and Jazzi Barnum-Bobb were all given minutes.

Striker Lewis had a shot saved and the final chance of the contest saw McGugan’s free-kick tipped away by Snedker.

Watford: Woods; Belkalem (Barnum-Bobb 84), Cassetti (Hall 45), Hoban (Ekstrand 45); Faraoni (Bawling 75), Murray (McGugan 45) Diakite, Merkel (Stewart 84), Riera (Doherty 65); Abdi (Rosenthal 77); Ranegie (Lewis 65).

Northampton: Snedker, Dickenson, Warburton, Tozer, Langmead (Reeve 77), Roberts, Toney, Deegan, Lopez, Moyo, Connell.