Sick striker gives Siewert big headache

match in the 4-0 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur and, since arriving in January and working his way into the team, has become a shoo-in.

Now Siewert may have to rethink his plans against Javi Gracia’s Hornets, who are without suspended striker captain Troy Deeney and possibly influential attacker Gerard Deulofeu.

Siewert is also without Laurent Depoitre, who is still battling back from a foot injury and will not be considered this weekend. But he has revealed that Montpellier loan man Isaac Mbenza has recovered from illness and could play.

“Unfortunately Karlan Grant hasn’t been able to train much this week, he’s had breathing problems,” revealed Siewert.

“This is hard for me but I will have to look at what is possible with him or if it’s possible, so it is still a question mark.

“Karlan has had an illness, so he has been weak. Today he trained a bit, so I will have to look if it is possible with him.

“I have a connection with him so we will talk honestly about it and see what is possible.”

It will be a massive blow should Grant miss out. He has scored three times (joint top scorer) in nine appearances since signing from Charlton and has made a big impression with the team and the fans.

On Mbenza, who missed out at Tottenham, Siewert added: “He is better, which is good. Isaac is feeling much better so he could be back.”

Midfielder Philip Billing, who has not played for more than a month since going on as a substitute at West Ham, is back training with the first-team squad and ready for selection if needed, but Depoitre, Adama Diakhaby and Abdelhamid Sabiri do not appear fit.

The Terriers boss also hinted that he will take a look at some of the younger players after Aaron Rowe, Matty Daly and Demeaco Duhaney played with the Under 19s in Poland this week.

“It could be possible but first of all I have to look when they come back how they are,” said Siewert

“We wanted to give them playing time, this is really important. “Demeaco hadn’t had much playing time before because of his injury. Aaron, also. It’s not easy for him and he has to compete now. Matty, he had been ill for a long time, so I have to look how he is feeling.

“They are back on Friday training

Karlan has had an illness so he is weak. He trained a bit so I will have a look if it is possible with him