Craig Cathcart pushing for Watford starting role against Bournemouth

Posted Friday, March 30, 2018 by PA

Watford defender Craig Cathcart will be pushing for his first start in seven months for the Premier League match against Bournemouth.

Cathcart has not played for the Hornets since August following a hip problem, but completed 22 minutes for Northern Ireland in their friendly victory against South Korea last weekend.

Christian Kabasele is closing in on a first-team return following a hamstring issue, while midfielder Tom Cleverley (thigh) continues his rehabilitation, along with Gerard Deulofeu (foot), Nathaniel Chalobah (knee), Younes Kaboul (foot) and Isaac Success (knee).

Bournemouth have a doubt over forward Lys Mousset ahead of Saturday’s Premier League match against Watford.

Mousset did not feature for France under-21s because of illness, so will be monitored, while defender Adam Smith will be assessed on the back problem picked up before the international break.

Goalkeeper Asmir Begovic missed Bosnia and Herzegovina’s friendlies as he manages a long-standing knee problem, while midfielder Harry Arter (calf) and winger Ryan Fraser (back) should also be in contention. Defender Tyrone Mings, though, continues his rehabilitation from a back problem.