Younes Kaboul is set to remain on the sidelines for a further five to six weeks after suffering a fractured metatarsal.

The Watford centre-half has made just two Premier League appearances this season and has not featured since the 2-0 victory at Southampton in early September after suffering a hamstring injury.

The Hornets satated the Frenchman had been “progressing well” and was training with his teammates, but have now revealed why he has been out longer than expected.

The injury was diagnosed after Kaboul felt pain in his right foot.

Following an operation, the former Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland player is now five weeks into his rehabilitation and the club hope he “will be back in the next five to six weeks”.

Fellow long-term absentee Craig Cathcart is making positive progress from his knee injury and could return to full training in the next couple of weeks, while Miguel Britos is “being assessed daily” after bruising his foot in the 3-0 win at Newcastle United.

No date has been put on Nathaniel Chalobah’s return but is “also progressing well” and is currently continuing his recovery at England’s St George’s Park base.