A number of Watford players are away on national duty during the current international break, before they return to face Derby County next weekend.

New signing William Troost-Ekong, who only arrived from Udinese last week, has flown out to join up with Nigeria for their friendly matches against Algeria on Friday, October 9 and Tunisia on Tuesday October 13.

The 27-year-old is not the only central defender to be taking playing over the coming days, with Craig Cathcart preparing for three games for Northern Ireland, including a Euro 2020 play-off semi-final against Bosnia & Herzegovina tomorrow night, as well as Nations League matches against Austria on Sunday October 11 and Norway on Tuesday October 13.

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Speaking to the Watford website about the semi-final, which was due to take place in March before it was postponed due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Cathcart said: "It's one we've been looking forward to. It was meant to be back in March, but circumstances because of the coronavirus delayed it.

“We know it's going to be tough. We played Bosnia in the Nations League so we know they are a good side. They've got good players in [Edin] Džeko and [Miralem] Pjanić – they are two of their main players so we know it's going to be tough, but we are confident we can go out there and get the job done. Hopefully we get through this one and can look forward to the game next month.”

Elsewhere, Ken Sema has been called up by Sweden for matches against Russia, Croatia and Portugal while Ismaila Sarr will join Senegal for friendly matches against Morocco and Mauritania.

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Francisco Sierralta will also feature in Chile's World Cup qualifier games against Uruguay and Colombia.

James Garner, JJ McKiernan, Sonny Blu Lo-Everton and on-loan goalkeeper Pontus Dahlberg will feature for their respective nations' youth sides.