Troy Deeney is almost to certain to be ruled out of Watford’s League Cup clash at Tottenham on Wednesday night after breaking bones in his toe.
The Hornets skipper revealed he is playing through the pain barrier after figuring in Watford’s last two league matches despite not being fully fit.
Deeney played with three broken toes against Fulham on Saturday and was feared further damage following a late tackle by Timothy Fosu-Mensah during the 1-1 weekend draw at Craven Cottage.
“I may have a broken bone or two but we will crack on,” he said, as quoted by the Evening Standard. “It is what it is. I am a tough, ugly boy.”
The Standard report that Deeny is not expected to play against Spurs in Milton Keynes, but is hopeful to make a quick return to action against Arsenal on Saturday in the Premier League.
OPINION
Deeney has started all six of Watford’s league matches this season, scoring crucial goals against Spurs and Burnley and back to his battering-ram best after a mixed 2017-18 campaign. He has the total faith of manager Javi Garcia and is totally unwilling to give up his place in the starting XI to any of his teammates, broken bones or not. Deeney has already put Tottenham to the sword once this season, giving them a pounding as the Hornets took full advantage of the north Londoners’ set piece vulnerability earlier this month. The Watford skipper is unlikely to play on Wednesday, and that would have been the case even if he was fully fit. The priority for Garcia is ensuring Premier League survival and he will be super keen to have Deeney available for Saturday afternoon’s trip to Arsenal, the second match-up in four days against a London giant.