MX23RW : Saturday, December 14 12:55:25| >> :120:20936:20936:

Watford keen to move on from Andre Gray controversy

Andre Gray, Nathaniel Chalobah and Domingos Quina were all dropped by the Hornets last time out.

Watford assistant boss Craig Shakespeare insists the club have "drawn a line" under the absence of three key players for last week's Premier League defeat against Southampton.

Andre Gray, Nathaniel Chalobah and Domingos Quina will all be in contention for Saturday's trip to Chelsea having been left out after Gray reportedly breached social distancing regulations by hosting a birthday party.

Gray subsequently described the event as "a gathering of friends which turned into a sort of football tournament" in an apology on Instagram.

AFC Bournemouth v Watford – Premier League – Vitality Stadium
Nathaniel Chalobah will feature for the Hornets against Chelsea (Adam Davy/PA)

The 3-1 loss to Southampton left the Hornets teetering on the brink of the bottom three, but Shakespeare said there were no recriminations and the squad will now look to the future with the trio back in the fold.

Shakespeare, hosting media duties in place of ill boss Nigel Pearson, said: "We have got to the bottom of it and they have apologised to staff and players individually and collectively.

"Once we welcomed them back, we try to get on with it as normal. They have admitted they were wrong. They have settled back into it, they know they have made a mistake and want to make up for it.

Liverpool v Watford – Premier League – Anfield Stadium
Domingos Quina has apologised to his Watford team-mates (Peter Byrne/PA)

"We have drawn a line under it, we have moved on. We have mistakes from individuals during games – they don't mean to make mistakes, but can we rectify them? Yes, we can.

"The next chance to rectify it will be against Chelsea. And if they play their part, all is well and good."

Shakespeare confirmed that Pearson is expected to be back in the dugout at Stamford Bridge, despite his absence on Thursday.

ID:404856: cacheID:404856:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5418:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner pictured on June 6, 2020
Read Next:
Premier League: Transfer ins and outs - Summer 2020
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd20135228111742
2Leeds UnitedLeeds20125336142241
3Burnley2010822471738
4Sunderland20107329151437
5Blackburn RoversBlackburn1910452317634
6West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom2071122314932
7Middlesbrough209473425931
8Watford199462725231
9Swansea CitySwansea207672119227
10Norwich CityNorwich206863530526
11Bristol City206862525026
12Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds207582329-626
13Millwall196762017325
14Derby CountyDerby216692626024
15Preston North EndPreston2041062026-622
16Luton TownLuton2064102335-1222
17Coventry CityCoventry205692529-421
18Stoke CityStoke205692126-521
19Queens Park RangersQPR204972026-621
20Oxford UnitedOxford Utd194692030-1018
21Portsmouth193882134-1317
22Cardiff CityCardiff1945101730-1317
23Plymouth ArgylePlymouth1945101940-2117
24Hull City2037101828-1016


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!