Preview: Wealdstone vs. Watford

WATFORD HEAD to Ruislip this afternoon to face local non-league outfit Wealdstone in a traditional pre-season clash with the Stones.

The Hornets travel to Grosvenor Vale each pre-season as part of a continuing relationship between the two clubs. Last season the Goldenboys ran out 3-1 winners with Chris Iwelumo netting on his first outing in yellow.

Watford kicked off their pre-season properly with a 1-1 draw at Boreham Wood on Tuesday night. New boss Gianfranco Zola elected to play two entirely different sides against the Wood, but could well increase the number of minutes some of his troops enjoy tonight.

Despite Joe Garner's teasing tweets, the club have as yet failed to announce the anticipated signings of Fitz Hall and Manuel Almunia so whether either man features this afternoon will be of keen interest.

Czech trialist Matej Vydra could be in line to feature if he is fit enough after missing the Meadow Park trip through fitness-relate problems. Fellow trialists Almen Abdi and Daniel Pudil should feature at some point.

Whether or not the three first-team players who missed the Boreham Wood trip, Ross Jenkins, Lloyd Doyley and Sean Murray, feature today or not is also unclear.

Gordon Bartlett's Wealdstone, who enjoyed Britt Assombalonga, Connor Smith and Tommie Hoban on loan last season, currently have four ex-'Orns on their books.

Striker Scott Fitzgerald, best remembered for his 11 goals during the 2003/04 season, Kurtney Brooks, who made one substitute appearance in the 2009 League Cup defeat of Barnet, ex-academy scholar Peter Dean and former goalkeeper, Jonathan North, who is currently recovering from a double leg break.

Kick-off: 3pm

Tickets: £10 adults, £5 concessions, £2 U16's

Next up: Cork City (A), July 24

VitalWatford will be at the game, so if you can't make it, make sure you follow us on Twitter (@VitalWatford), for team news and updates.