Watford could be without three key players this weekend as they look to get their season on track against West Ham United.

On Thursday afternoon the club announced that Troy Deeney will be out of action for at least two months after undergoing a knee operation, but head coach Javi Gracia has also since revealed that both Abdoulaye Doucoure and Roberto Pereyra have not trained with the team since last weekend's defeat to Everton and are unlikely to be involved this weekend, unless they can pass late fitness tests.

Speaking ahead of the game against the Irons, Gracia said the timing was less than ideal, given the Hornets' poor start to the season, but that whoever takes to the field on Saturday, will be ready to compete.

"We have always spoken about that, how important he is on the pitch and out of the pitch as well," said Gracia of his captain.

"He's special - his personality, his character, he's important for us, but what can we do now he's injured?

"We have other players waiting and I trust all of them. We are ready to compete without Troy. We'll miss him, we are waiting until he's back, but we have to be ready to compete against West Ham.

"All of them are important players for us, but you don't decide the moment when the players are injured and then you have to be ready to compete with the players you have. I think it's a good moment to show how good we are as a squad and for other players to show their quality."

Some positive news for Gracia comes in the form of new arrivals Danny Welbeck and Ismaila Sarr, both of whom are now in training with the first team.

However, the head coach thinks both need to a little more time before they are match fit.

"They are training well, now both are training with the team," said Gracia.

"They are not in the best condition, but the most important thing is in the moment these two players can help us. They can play not all the minutes, but can help us in the next performances.

"Sarr is the player who in this moment needs more training, but from the first training session you can see his qualities - he's fast, good technically, I think he's a good winger, is sharp and I'm sure he'll give us a good option to change the games."