BURTON Albion are waiting on Ben Turner, John Brayford and Jackson Irvine, who are all nursing injuries, ahead of the Watford game while Marvin Sordell is cup tied.
Brayford is the most likely to be fit for the Third Round FA Cup tie.
Albion boss Nigel Clough said: “John should be OK for the weekend. It was purely precautionary that he missed the Preston game as we don’t take chances with head injuries and he was dazed after the Rotherham game.
“Ben Turner is coming on but the weekend might be a bit too soon for him – we will have to see. McFadzean, Turner and Brayford is the strongest back three we can put out on the pitch and that’s what got us the clean sheets and results at the start of the season. When we are missing one or two of those we are not quite as strong. But we have to get Ben right and make sure he’s fit for the last 20 games.
“Jackson’s carrying a groin strain and some other associated knocks from playing the last three games so we will have to assess him before the weekend.
“He has had a brilliant first three or four months and with eight goals from midfield then most clubs will be keeping an eye on him. He’s bound to attract attention. He’s had a great impact but he’s one member of the team and sometimes we rely on him a bit too much.
“It’s brilliant to have players like him and John who want to play at all games but there are times when they might do more damage and we have to take it out of their hands.
“It’s unfortunate for Marvin to be cup tied against one of his former clubs. It’s more important that he can play league games but I wish we had him out there on Saturday.”