Mariappa to feature for Hornets

Adrian Mariappa will line up for Watford against Tottenham on Friday night despite the current speculation regarding his future.

The centre-back was the subject of a failed bid from Newcastle at the start of this week, with the Magpies' offer rejected immediately having been well below the Championship club's valuation of the defender.

But the developments, which have dominated the pre-match headlines ahead of the FA Cup fourth-round tie at Vicarage Road, will not prevent manager Sean Dyche from selecting Mariappa.

Ten-goal striker Marvin Sordell, who has also been linked with a January move, will lead the line for a Hornets side who are pretty much at full strength.

Influential midfielder Jonathan Hogg returned from a minor knee injury to start last Saturday's 3-0 Championship defeat at Birmingham, leaving just long-term absentees Martin Taylor (broken toe) and Stephen McGinn (knee) on the sidelines.