Home Premier League Watford FC Javi Gracia confirms Doucoure injury

Javi Gracia confirms Doucoure injury

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Gracia confirmed Doucoure’s absence was purely down to an injury

Watford were held to a disappointing 0-0 draw at home by Burnley and manager Javi Gracia admitted that his team were not at their fluent best this week.

The Hornets failed to capitalise on their bright start to the game and squandered a few good chances before Burnley took control of the proceedings in the second half. Sean Dyche’s men could have caused a major upset had Chris Wood’s injury-time strike not been ruled out for offside, with the replays confirming that the striker was level with the backline.

“We knew it would be a very demanding game and it was,” he added. “We started well, created the first clear-cut chance but didn’t take it and after that, the game was very close with a lot of challenges for second balls.

“When you can’t win one point is positive.”

Watford were without first-team players Abdoulaye Doucoure and Craig Cathcart for the game and Gracia confirmed that both the players had picked up knocks in training.

Doucoure has been linked with a big-money move to PSG in recent weeks but Gracia made it clear that the Frenchman was sidelined with a minor injury and his omission had nothing to do with the speculations.

“Craig Cathcart and Doucoure both felt pain in the last training and they weren’t available for today, but I think they have minor problems and for the next game I’m sure they will be ready,” said Gracia.

“I don’t like to speak about the players I don’t have because there are others, today like Tom [Cleverley], like [Etienne] Capoue playing in the middle and I think both have played very well

“Maybe with other options, with other qualities, the game could be different but all my players are important for me and I prefer to speak about the players who have played and in this case, those players, in my opinion, have played well.”

 

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