Watford manager Walter Mazzarri will have to make a late call on the fitness of Italy international of Nigerian descent Stefano Okaka ahead of the Premier League clash with Crystal Palace on Boxing Day.

The former Roma wonderkid only resumed light training this week after sitting out games against Manchester City and Sunderland due to a hamstring complaint.

Prior to his spell on the sidelines, Okaka put up a man of the match performance, netting a brace in Watford’s 3-2 win versus Everton at the Vic, the fifth time he wore the Hornets shirt in the Premier League.

Nigerian pair Odion Ighalo and Isaac Success are both available for selection against the Eagles.

Igho Kingsley