Roy Hodgson has revealed that Cucho Hernandez is available to play for Watford this weekend against Chelsea but the club doctors had to be convinced first. The winger hasn’t played since the home loss against Leeds in early April after picking up a hamstring injury.
Roy Hodgson said: “He and I think he probably is ready to play a part. The doctors, who have obviously been very concerned about it – because it was a serious injury – they are a little more cautious. But I persuaded them at least to allow him and I the luxury of being together on the bench. And I’m pretty certain, if things are going a certain way, I’m going to be looking at his direction. If he looks back and sort of gives me the nod, it’s going to be hard not to put him on because he was doing so well before he got injured.”
Some fans may be cautious of bringing back the 23-year-old too early and then potentially exacerbating the injury – especially as the game is essentially meaningless with Watford already destined for relegation. But the club manager was keen to point out how willing the player was to feature, and reminded the press that Cucho will have a whole summer to recover after this final outing.
Roy Hodgson explained: “But the good thing is, hopefully, he will get through this. Whatever period of time he plays. |He’s fit now, he’ll have a break and it means, right from the start of next season, you’ve got one guy who is good, who is fit, and he’s really really up for playing. So I’m just glad to see him back before the injury.”
While the winger – who has five league goals to his name this term – is back and available, the likes of Ismaila Sarr, Emmanuel Dennis, Juraj Kucka, Peter Etebo, Shaq Forde, and Imran Louza won’t play for the club again this season. Of that group, only Louza and Forde look certain to be at the club beyond this summer.
