Troy Deeney: Watford captain could miss Premier League conclusion with injury

The Watford skipper completed the full 90 minutes at Vicarage Road but was later seen leaving the ground wearing a protective boot.

He is believed to have suffered an injury to his right foot in the stalemate, which saw Watford have the better of the first half before being put under pressure by the Eagles in the second period.

With only three games remaining in the season and Watford sitting in a position of relative safety on 38 points, Deeney’s fitness may not be risked between now and the campaign reaching a close.

They enjoy a nine-point cushion on the bottom three after Saturday’s stalemate and would need an unlikely run of results elsewhere to drop out of the top flight.

The injury blow represents the latest road block in a stop start campaign for Deeney after he started the season searching for fitness due to a pre-season groin problem.

Suspensions have provided further frustration and the 29-year-old has sat out seven matches due to indiscipline.

Watford’s striking options are sparse in Deeney’s absence and Javi Gracia will have just Andre Gray and Stefano Okaka to turn to in place of the number nine.

Okaka partnered Deeney in attack on Saturday and produced a display full of power and purpose to stake a claim to start in Deeney’s stead.

The forward hit the bar with a glancing header and linked up well with Deeney as Gracia opted to play a 4-4-2 formation against the Eagles.

Gray, meanwhile, has had to make do with precious little game time since Gracia took over at the club in January.

His sole start since Gracia took the helm at Vicarage Road came in the FA Cup defeat to Southampton in January and he has played just 51 Premier League minutes for the head coach.

Watford’s run in sees them face Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley next Monday, before hosting Newcastle United and finishing the season with a trip to Old Trafford to take on Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United side.