WATFORD new manager replaces three new players amid relegation battle,meet them...

This Sunday, when the Hornets play Birmingham City, Tom Cleverley will start in the Watford dugout for the first time since Valerien Ismael was replaced.

While Watford have been buoyed by the latest news regarding Giorgi Chakvetadze’s injury, interim head head coach Tom Cleverley has hinted the midfielder will miss this weekend’s trip to Birmingham City.

The Georgian was taken off at half time of last weekend’s 2-1 home loss to Coventry City and while the Hornets’ initial fears have not been met, Cleverley spoke in terms of a return ‘sooner rather than later’.

The former Man Utd midfielder was stepped up following the dismissal of Valerien Ismael in the wake of the loss at Vicarage Road, a result that left Watford in 14th place, seven points above the bottom three.

They arrive at St Andrew’s with only one win since January 14 – and that against lowly Rotherham. They will face a Blues team that hasn’t won since Mark Venus stepped into Tony Mowbray’s shoes.

Cleverley was asked about the influential player’s injury status and said. “It’s not as bad as perhaps we all first feared. There’s a lot of pain around right now with some bruising to the ankle but we’re hopeful Giorgi will be back with us sooner rather than later.” Jeremy Ngakia (knee ligaments) and Ken Sema (hamstring) will miss this weekend’s game.

Cleverley has also spoken of his pride at being plucked from his role at Under-18s coach and thrust into the limelight with the first team: “I’m obviously extremely proud. I’ll be honest, I’ve not really thought of the sentiment behind it too much as the first thing I thought when I got the call was ‘How do we beat Birmingham on Saturday?’

“I’m sure over the next days and weeks I’ll realise how big this opportunity is. Although I’m very aware this is only a temporary thing, I’d be lying if I said I’d not dreamt of achieving big things here.”