Reading have lucky charm Mikele Leigertwood back for the visit of the Hornets.
On-loan QPR midfielder Leigertwood has not tasted defeat in the 11 games he has played for the club and will be back in the side after three games out through suspension.
He will return as Brian McDermott's side look to end a run of five league games without a win.
Fellow midfielder Jem Karacan serves the second of a three-game ban of his own but Jobi McAnuff returned from an ankle injury during the 1-1 draw at Sheffield United in midweek.
Central defender Alex Pearce remains sidelined as he recovers from a thigh injury but striker Shane Long appears to be showing no discomfort from his recent hip problem.
Long required injections to play for club and country in recent weeks but took his tally to 11 goals in 14 games with the opener at Bramall Lane. Fellow forward Mathieu Manset is a doubt after he picked up a calf niggle.
Adam Thompson could make his full league debut for Watford.
The teenage right-back came off the bench to score the equaliser in the midweek draw with Preston and could be in from the start in place of Lloyd Doyley at the Madejski Stadium.
Doyley has been struggling with a hamstring injury and was replaced at the break on Tuesday by the impressive Thompson.
Matt Whichelow also came on at half-time to score and could replace Danny Drinkwater in Malky Mackay's plans.
Winger Will Buckley is out with an ankle injury while striker Marvin Sordell could come in after fully recovering from his recent foot injury.
Youngster Michael Bryan is still missing with an ankle injury and completes the injury list for the Hornets.
