The Watford head coach is hopeful Christian Kabasele will be available again soon after revealing the defender did not suffer a serious injury when colliding with a goalpost in the Boxing Day defeat to Chelsea.

The centre-half was in clear pain when he collided with the frame of the goal in the early stages of the 2-1 loss as he slid attempting to stop a Willian effort from creeping inside the near post.

Kabasele was replaced after attempting to carry on, but was taken to hospital later in the first half after leaving Vicarage Road on a stretcher wearing an oxygen mask.

Confirming he will miss tomorrow’s clash at home to Newcastle United, Javi Gracia said: “He’s not training with the team. After the game he didn’t feel well, but now I think he’s only feeling some pain (to his shoulder and back area), but I think he will be ready soon.”

Gracia did not rule out the possibility of the 27-year-old being ready as soon as next week’s New Year trip to Bournemouth, but he was optimistic the Belgian international would available for selection again sooner rather than later.

He said: “In this moment I can’t tell you when he will be ready but we now know - because after the game we didn’t know what he had - it’s only pain and I think he will be available for the next games.”

Andre Gray and Sebastian Prodl remain sidelined with their injuries, but in other positive news from the treatment room Gracia confirmed Will Hughes and Adalberto Penaranda have returned to training.