Troy Deeney is a doubt to start Watford’s Premier League clash against Sunderland after suffering with illness during the international break.

The Hornets captain has been training intermittently during the two-week intermission from Premier League action.

While Watford boss Walter Mazzarri expects Deeney, who has scored five goals in his last eight outings, to at least make the bench, he confirmed the striker may not start at Vicarage Road.

“Unfortunately Troy Deeney has been training only for the last eight days. He has had a gastrointestinal illness with high temperature, vomiting and diarrhoea for three days,” Mazzarri said.

“I need to see who is in better condition and evaluate. There are 14 or 15 players that I consider starting 11 and they rotate between each other. If Troy doesn’t start tomorrow, he will be available to come in from the bench.”

Asked whether Deeney felt fit enough to play, the Italian insisted all members of his squad are eager to play at any time.

The decision over Deeney’s inclusion will, however, lie with the Mazzarri and the need to protect players in a week which sees Watford play three times may have a factor in selection.

“If we ask all the players if they want to play they will always reply yes, but it is up to the manager to decide depending on the player’s condition, so we will evaluate the player,” Watford’s head coach said.

“Troy couldn’t train for a week. He needs to get in full condition, thinking also about the fact there are three games in one week.”

Deeney’s fitness concerns add to a lengthening list of absentees heading into a potentially crucial clash with bottom of the table Sunderland.

Ben Watson, Valon Behrami and Christian Kabasele are all certain to miss the match and Mazzarri confirmed Sebastian Prodl is also a doubt.

“Prodl was the player who came back last from national duty and we will decide if he will be on the bench,” he said.

“The important thing is that we want him ready for Tuesday for sure. We sit down with the doctors today and decide.”