Cowie misses Burnley clash

Scottish international Don Cowie will once again be sidelined as Watford take on Burnley this weekend.

It had been hoped the former Inverness winger would've recovered from a thigh problem but Cowie has been ruled out today.

In Cowie's absence Spurs loanee Andros Townsend looks set to play down on flank and Will Buckley down the other.

At left-back, the covering Lloyd Doyley has a calf problem, and after a midweek scan the Hornet's stalwart seems unlikely to feature.

With no senior left-backs at the club, Doyley has been covering in the absence of Andrew Taylor, now back at parent club Middlesbrough.

Fellow full-back Lee Hodson would seem the most natural replacement but the Northern Irish cap reported back from international duty with a knock so could well miss out.

Manager Malky Mackay said: "[Doyley scan] That came back well. There wasn`t any permanent damage there. He`s been outside the last couple of days with the physios. We`re going to give him every chance tomorrow but it will be tomorrow when we decide whether he is available for Saturday or if it`s better keeping him for Tuesday.'

On the Hodson knock, Mackay said: 'He got a kick with about ten minutes to go playing for Northern Ireland so he reported a slight knock. He had a bit of treatment but we`ll look at him again tomorrow."

With Eddie Oshodi, who is capable of playing left-back out on loan at Rushden and Diamonds it might fall to Adrian Mariappa to fill in, with Dale Bennett partnering Martin Taylor at centre back.

A worst-case scenario defence might look like this:

Adam Thompson-Dale Bennett-Martin Taylor-Adrian Mariappa

Here's hoping that either Lloyd or Lee are passed as fit, or for that matter both!



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