No fresh injury problems for Middlesbrough ahead of Watford clash
Middlesbrough head coach Aitor Karanka has seen all his international players return unscathed as he plots a Premier League victory over Watford on Sunday.
Karanka will run the rule over the men who did duty with their countries during the break, paying particular attention to Uruguay duo Gaston Ramirez and Cristhian Stuani following their lengthy journeys, but he has reported no fresh injury concerns.
Only skipper Grant Leadbitter remains on the sidelines as he works his way back to full fitness following hernia surgery.
Middlesbrough renew acquaintances with former Sky Bet Championship rivals Watford, who beat them into the top flight by 12 months.
Boro are still looking for their first home win of the campaign, having taken just one point from their last four outings after opening the season with five points from seven.
They took a point last time out in a 1-1 draw against West Ham at the London Stadium, secured by Stuani's third goal of the campaign.
Stuani, although a striker by trade, has been used more often than not as a wide midfielder by Karanka, although the head coach is well aware of his potency.
Asked if the Uruguay international, who played only 20 minutes of his country's 2-2 draw in Colombia as a substitute on Tuesday evening, represents another option up front, he said: "Yes, because he played the last 30, 35 minutes against Tottenham.
"He prefers to play as a number nine, but I told him when I signed him which position he was going to play.
"But I know as a second striker or as a striker, his record has been really good, so for that reason I used him against Tottenham and for sure, I am going to use him again."
Watford boss Walter Mazzarri wants to avoid a repeat of the loss at Burnley against Middlesbrough.
The Hornets were beaten 2-0 at Turf Moor in their most recent away fixture in the Premier League and responded by twice fighting back to draw 2-2 at home to Bournemouth prior to the international break.
"It will be a very hard game," Mazzarri said.
"We have to be focused, to play our game, to play very well defensively. We have to keep in mind the game against Burnley so we know what mistakes not to repeat."
Watford captain Troy Deeney was scathing of his team at Burnley, saying the Hornets had been "bullied" by the Clarets, who wanted victory more.
Mazzarri added: "Troy said what we all thought in the dressing room. Even me. I was the first one to go out and say the same thing.
"We admitted that we played very bad. We have been working on it for it not to happen again. I promised myself that Burnley would not happen again.
"We showed against Bournemouth a big reaction."
Watford defender Miguel Britos is expected to be available following a groin injury.
Younes Kaboul could continue in central defence as Craig Cathcart remains out with a groin injury, while midfielder Valon Behrami is a minor doubt with an undisclosed knock.
Forward Isaac Success, who scored his first Watford goal prior to the international break, could be handed his first start. Daryl Janmaat (shoulder) is still out.
Source: PAR
