Javi Gracia may shuffle his pack against Newcastle United as he seeks to keep Watford’s level of performance at a high level as they look to return to winning ways after the defeat to Chelsea.

The Hornets boss opted to name an unchanged starting line-up for the 2-1 defeat to the Blues. But while Gracia did not believe those he selected were anymore tired than to be expected, he acknowledged that with two more games to be played in the next five days he may make changes.

He said: “I think it’s normal after playing the games we’ve played and in the last game against Chelsea. At the end of the game they felt tired but a day, two days to recover I am sure they will be ready.

“But I have to make decisions about that and knowing we are going to play three games more in the next days, to manage the players maybe in the next games I have to change something to compete at our best level.”

One change that will have to be made against the Magpies is in defence where Christian Kabasele is ruled out after colliding with a goalpost in Wednesday night’s loss.