Derby County face Watford at Pride Park this weekend looking to extend their five game winning run
Brian Dick Reach Football Correspondent
16:51, 21 Nov 2025Updated 16:51, 21 Nov 2025
Javi Gracia(Image: PA)
Watford could be without Egil Selvik for their trip to Derby County this weekend.
The Hornets goalkeeper suffered a shoulder injury in the 1-1 draw with Bristol City – but still met up with the Norway squad albeit he was subsequently forced to pull out.
The 28-year-old has returned to Watford and is now a doubt to face the Rams at Pride Park.
Head coach Javi Gracia explained: “We’ll see…how he is because he feels well but we are expecting some test results.
“After being with the national team he felt something similar that he felt after the last game.
“He’s training, he’s doing something – not with the team – but he’s training and he feels well and we are at this point now. I am not sure or not if he will be ready for the next game.”
If the former Haugesund ‘keeper is not fit to resume, having played 14 of Watford’s 15 Championship games so far this season, ex-Bolton stopper Nathan Baxter is expected to deputise.
Giorgi Chakvetadze, who has not played since April due to a foot injury, is back in ‘modified full training’ but is not ready to face the Rams.
“He’s progressing, he’s in his process and he needs time to progress slowly,” Gracia said.
“After being out of the team a long time now he needs to work and be patient. At the same time we’d like to have this player as soon as possible.
“We have to be patient and support him and wait for the time he needs.”
Otherwise, James Abankwah, Mamadou Doumbia, Nestory Irankunda and Othmane Maamma are all back safely from their respective international commitments and are available for selection.
Gracia admits the Rams’ threat extends beyond leading scorer – and talisman – Carlton Morris.
“Not only Morris,” he said. “Their three players that usually play up front – [Ben] Brereton, [Patrick] Agyemang and Morris – are good players. Very good players in their movements and clinical attacking when they finish the actions.
“They’re very powerful and we have to be ready for that. Not only Mattie, all the team. When we speak about defence all the team has to be at the right mentality if we want to do a good job.”
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