Watford boss Ed Still has revealed midfielder Edo Kayembe missed their Easter matches against QPR and Charlton because of international commitments after helping DR Congo qualify for the World Cup finals.
The Leopards beat Jamaica 1-0 in their play-off in Guadalajara 10 days ago to reach this summer’s tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico, but Kayembe then failed to return to England in time for Watford’s matches on Good Friday and Easter Monday.
"He's back from all the celebrations with DR Congo and their World Cup qualification so that's really good for the team," Ed Still told BBC Three Counties Radio.
"There were governmental obligations from their side and all the players selected for the last play-off game were in the same situation. West Ham had the same issue with (Aaron) Wan-Bissaka and many clubs in France and Belgium had the same issue.
"On the one hand we're really happy for him and proud that he'll be at the World Cup in a couple of months, but it was disappointing not to have him with us for the QPR or Charlton games."
Still has also revealed defender James Abankwah is available for selection for Saturday's Championship match at Oxford (15:00 BST) and midfielder Othmane Maamma is back in training after almost two months out with a thigh injury.
Watford are currrently 10th in the Championship table, nine points adrift of the top six with five matches remaining.
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