Watford defender Danny Shittu is set for his last appearance for over a month when the Hornets host Crystal Palace in the FA Cup third round.Shittu is available to face the Eagles before departing to play his part in Nigeria's African Nations Cup campaign - which could see him out until mid-February.

Manager Adrian Boothroyd has Adrian Mariappa and Matt Jackson in reserve to cover Shittu's absence but is still expected to enter the transfer market for another centre-half.

Boothroyd has no fresh injury or suspension concerns but may choose to rest several of his regulars as promotion back to the Premier League remains the main priority at Vicarage Road.

Al Bangura has recovered from a broken arm sustained in the Carling Cup loss at Southend in August, but is out with an ankle injury picked up in reserve action. The midfielder is fighting deportation to Sierra Leone and positive developments mean he may not have played his last game for the Hornets.

Gareth Williams has an outside chance of making the squad for the first time this season after a long-term absence with a knee ligament injury and Jordan Parkes (broken metatarsal) remains out.

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