'Not an easy situation' - Watford boss admits his options are limited without AFCON-bound quartet

Published: December 27, 2021

Watford manager Claudio Ranieri has admitted that his options are limited without some of his players who are set to represent their countries at the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations.

The Italian football tactician will be without his most influential player Emmanuel Dennis during the tournament in Cameroon, while William Troost-Ekong (Nigeria), Adam Masina (Morocco) and Ismaila Sarr (Senegal) have also been named in finalized squad lists.

Looking at the provisional Premier League table, the Hornets are two points above the relegation zone but have two games in hand over the two bottom teams Norwich City and Newcastle United.

Asked at the pre-match press conference before the Premier League meeting with West Ham United whether it's an advantage or not an advantage that his side has played fewer games, Ranieri pointed out that he will be without some of his key players in the coming weeks, with the Africa Cup of Nations on the horizon.

The experienced coach said : "It's difficult to say if it's an advantage or not because now starts the African Cup and some players will go to Africa and then I don't have some players. Before I had.

"It's not an easy situation, I think it's not right to talk, what we have to do we do and finish."

Dennis and Troost-Ekong will be allowed to take part in in the Hornets' next two Premier League games against West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur before reporting for international duty in Abuja, Nigeria.

Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit : watfordfc.com

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