Craig Cathcart is available for selection ahead of Watford’s clash with Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday.

The centre-back has been back in training with the rest of the Hornets squad and even earned a surprise call up to the Northern Ireland squad this week.

Having not played since the August clash with Brighton at Vicarage Road, Cathcart’s’ return is a long awaited one and Javi Gracia is pleased he is once again in the running to feature.

He said: “Craig is now in full training and is one option in this moment because last week he was not in the best condition.

“He needs to improve day by day training with the team and I am pleased he is an option.

“I am always very pleased when these players recover and are able to help the team. I am happy for them first of all and happy because I have more options.”

While there is positive news on Cathcart’s recovery, Watford are still competing with a sizable injury list, with the likes of Younes Kaboul, Christian Kabasele, Nathaniel Chalobah, Tom Cleverley and Gerard Deulofeu all out.

A two-week international break after the trip to Anfield could provide a timely window to get some players back to fitness, but Gracia was unable to offer return dates for any.

He said: “I can tell you this week nobody came back to train with the team and the next weeks we will see.

“They are in a process of recovery and we will see. It depends not on what I can say in this moment, it depends on their process.”