Watford head coach Roy Hodgson has described Oghenekaro Etebo’s potential return as a boost to the squad ahead of their game with Crystal Palace and subsequent ones.
The Nigeria international played who the first half of the side’s Under-23 3-0 defeat to Ipswich Town on Monday, is reportedly back in full training alongside with Joao Pedro and Juraj Kucka.
Hodgson said the midfielder has been given the all-clear by his surgeon after sustaining a quad injury earlier in the season. Now, it is simply a case of building up his match fitness.
“He’s trained with us really from the start,” said Hodgson. “It’s been more of a question of waiting for the go-ahead from his surgeon in Finland, but he got that actually last week.
“So as far as I’m concerned, basically, we don’t have any great concerns, but of course, he hasn’t played a competitive match for many months. So it was good to get some minutes in today’s game.
“If he comes through that okay, then we’re going to be able to start counting on him,” he added.
Monday’s game was Etebo’s first appearance for the Hornets since he copped the quad complaint in September and it was a step in the right direction for the ex-Warri Wolves and Stoke City midfielder ahead of his much anticipated return to the first team.
Etebo has only been involved in six league games this season before the injury he sustained on September 25th , 2021 against Newcastle.