'Definitely going to be in the squad' - Watford coach confirms Ekong is available v Blackpool 

Watford manager Slaven Bilić has confirmed that Super Eagles assistant captain William Troost-Ekong will be included in the matchday squad against Blackpool on Saturday, October 8.

The central defender was forced to leave the Nigeria camp in Constantine two weeks ago after suffering a hamstring injury during the friendly against Algeria's B team. 

The initial prognosis was that Troost-Ekong would be sidelined until mid-October but he has made a speedy recovery from his injury. 

Having missed the matches against Stoke City and Swansea City, the Tottenham Hotspur academy product is in line to play his first game under newly-appointed Hornets boss Bilić at Bloomfield Road tomorrow, 1500 hours kickoff. 

"Ekong trained with us yesterday [Thursday October 6] - he looks good, and he’s definitely going to be in the squad," Bilić said to Watford's official website. 

"That’s a big positive for us, particularly with our injury problems at the back."

Troost-Ekong was used sparingly under dismissed coach Rob Edwards, logging 97 minutes from a possible 900 in ten games in the English second tier. 

Watford also provided a positive update on another Nigerian player, Tom Dele-Bashiru, stating that the midfielder is making good progress and is now back in training following his lateral collateral ligament injury.

Igho Kingsley 

Copyright ANS

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com