Oscar Garcia – who is expected out of hospital today - has expressed his pride in Watford’s players and staff and is hopeful he will return to work “very soon”.

Assistant coach Ruben Martinez stated his friend was expected out of hospital yesterday but we have been told he is still there this morning.

However, he is expected out later today and has written his first programme notes as Golden Boys’ boss.

Oscar started by saying a “very big thank you to everybody for the good wishes” since he was taken ill on Sunday with minor chest pains.

The Spaniard confirmed he has had detailed conversations with his coaching staff in the build-up to today’s match with Bournemouth, which kicks off at 12.15pm and is live on Sky Sports.

“I won’t be at the match today – but I am hopeful that I will be returning to work very soon,” Oscar said, via his programme notes.

“It has not been an easy time for obvious reasons, so I am especially proud of both the players and staff for the way that everyone has worked during the last week to produce the best possible outcomes for the club.”

Assistant coaches Martinez and Javier Pereira have taken training and the matches this week.

Oscar spoke of how he only had a few days with the whole squad due to the international break so the aim during that time was to put into place the structure and essential aspects of his philosophy on how he would like the team to play.

He continued: “I hope that you have seen some of these things within the team’s performance so far, although there is of course a lot of development that will happen throughout the squad as we move forward.

“I know that my assistants Ruben and Javier, along with all of the coaching staff, will continue our philosophy into today’s game.

“Support them and the players as much as you can against a good Bournemouth team.”

Follow today's match here.