Heidar Helguson is pushing to make his first start since rejoining Watford almost two months ago when Preston arrive at Vicarage Road.

The on-loan QPR striker returned as a substitute in last weekend's 5-0 defeat at West Brom, his first run-out since suffering a calf injury on his second debut for the Hornets, also from the bench, against Leicester in September.

But boss Malky Mackay will be without young midfielder Ross Jenkins, who this week underwent a back operation which will sideline him for at least a month.

Club captain Jay DeMerit is still missing following eye surgery, but the American centre-half hopes to be back before Christmas.

Rookie goalkeeper Jonathan Bond, 16, will be on the bench again if Richard Lee does not recover from his knee injury.