MX23RW : Tuesday, April 8 10:38:28| >> :600:97383:97383:

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
1Burnley402315255124384
2Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd40267756302683
3Leeds UnitedLeeds402313479285182
4Sunderland402112757372075
5Middlesbrough401791461491260
6Bristol City401515105143860
7Coventry CityCoventry40178155753459
8West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom401318948361257
9Millwall401412143941-254
10Watford40158174853-553
11Norwich CityNorwich401313146256652
12Blackburn RoversBlackburn40157184243-152
13Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds401410165461-752
14Preston North EndPreston401018124047-748
15Swansea CitySwansea40139184151-1048
16Queens Park RangersQPR401113164553-846
17Portsmouth40129194863-1545
18Oxford UnitedOxford Utd401112174157-1645
19Hull City401111184048-844
20Stoke CityStoke401013174153-1243
21Derby CountyDerby40118214252-1041
22Cardiff CityCardiff40914174363-2041
23Luton TownLuton40109213661-2539
24Plymouth ArgylePlymouth40813194278-3637


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!