Watford get Pen at last

WATFORD boss Javi Gracia is ready to unleash South American starlet Adalberto Penaranda at Woking’s sold-out Kingfield Stadium.

Penaranda was a runner-up at the 2017

Under-20 World Cup where Venezuela were beaten in the final by England.

The 21-year-old has had to wait two years to make his first Hornets appearance after his move was held up by passport issues and injury.

But as Gracia rings the changes tomorrow, following four Premier League games in 11 days, he is expected to give Penaranda the chance against non-League Woking.

The Hornets have won 18 of their last

19 cup ties against non-League opposition.

The only exception was a controversial

3-2 defeat in the third round at Northwich Victoria in 1977, in front of superstar chairman Elton John, when they were in the Fourth Division.

But Gracia trusts his squad, who performed creditably in the Carabao Cup against Reading and Tottenham.

He said of Penaranda: “He is fit and is improving day by day. He’ll be available and in this moment he is an option.

“Our mentality will be the most important thing. In all of the games we have played, they have kept a very good level and it won’t be any different. They will be ready.”

Also in Watford’s squad is England midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah, whose return from a year-long absence with a fractured kneecap has been tempered by a loss of confidence.

Woking v Watford special – See Seriously Football