Town boss Paul Jewell has as expected recalled Andy Drury in place of the suspended Grant Leadbitter for this afternoon’s game at Vicarage Road. The starting XI is otherwise unchanged with Luke Hyam added to the bench.

Jack Ainsley is the unlucky man from the 17-man party which made the trip to Hertfordshire.

The Blues are looking to end their Watford hoodoo having failed to beat the Hornets in 14 games home and away in all competitions since March 2004 when a Dean Bowditch hat-trick and a rarity from Jermaine Wright condemned the Hornets to a 4-1 defeat at Portman Road.

The Blues' last victory at Vicarage Road was in September 2003 when a debut goal from sub Shefki Kuqi and a superb chip by Jim Magilton saw Joe Royle's men to a 2-1 win, Scott Fitzgerald netting for the Hornets.

Watford make two changes, John Eustace coming in for Prince Buaben and Joe Garner for Chris Iwelumo. Full match preview here.

Watford: Kuszczak, Doyley, Nosworthy, Taylor, Dickinson, Murray, Hogg, Eustace (c), Kacaniklic, Deeney, Garner. Subs: Loach , Bennett, Buaben, Iwelumo, Assombalonga.

Town: McCarthy, Edwards (c), Smith, Delaney, Cresswell, Bowyer, Drury, Emmanuel-Thomas, Martin, Murphy, Chopra. Subs: Lee-Barrett, Sonko, Hyam, Stevenson, Carson.

Photo: Action Images

Sindre94 added 14:41 - Mar 24 Disappointed not to see Hyam instead of Lee
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TractorBoy666 added 14:55 - Mar 24 At least it's good to see Hyam back. I do agree though he should be playing instead Bowyer.
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mightytown added 14:56 - Mar 24 i dunno sindre, agreed hyam has been a revelation this season but, i think jewell is right to rotate things amid fixture congestion. we are now seeing the blend of youth and experience that we hoped for at the start of the season and i feel the likes of bowyer, bullard and leadbitter are benefiting from being kept out of the side - they know now they have to perform to play. if we can get this strength in depth in defense and upfront, for next season, then i honestly believe we are good enough to mount a promotion push. COYB

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michaeldownunder added 14:58 - Mar 24 Good to see Dury back in the side, his cross field passing a big plus when we are on the attack, but who will be the defensive midfield player today? Sitting down at 1AM, here in Brisbane, to listen to the game hope for another win for the town
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toforoge added 15:41 - Mar 24 just looked at table as it would stand if todays matches finished now for the first time i think we have aslim chance of playoffs!
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TractorBoy666 added 16:42 - Mar 24 All Watford in second half....
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riley26 added 16:59 - Mar 24 Watford done us again...think that has ended any play-off hopes, sounds like we should have had the game won by half time and we would have been right in with a chance of top 6, if only...
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bluearmy4life added 17:11 - Mar 24 Dissapointed with the result. If we would of won today we would be 6 points Blackpool with a game in hand. Sounded like we dominated first half Chopra's miss was fatal as was our defending. Tacticly PJ Subs was poor today. We have missed up a great opportunity.
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