JAVI: WE CHAL BE STRONGER

NATHANIEL CHALOBAH has been backed to return stronger from his injury nightmare and force his way into Gareth Southgate’s plans again.

The England boss is a big fan of the Watford midfielder and wasted no time at the start of last season in promoting Chalobah, who he worked with during his time in charge of the Under-21s.

But the 23-year-old suffered a fractured kneecap in a freak training ground injury to end any hope of a World Cup call. And, despite a brief substitute appearance at the end of last season, Watford have been handling him with kid gloves.

But Chalobah is back fit and in contention to feature against Tottenham today, after emerging unscathed in his Carabao Cup outing against Reading in midweek.

“We’ve waited for Nathaniel for a long period to come back from his injury,” said Watford boss Javi Gracia (right).

“He is a creative midfielder and I am sure he will help us this season. He is a quality player in a position we need. He is a very important player for Watford and for England, but the most important thing is for him to get back to top condition.

“The only way to recover is to play and train – that way you are able to get back to your best.

“He is playing and training hard and trying to get into the team. In the future, we will see the best of him.” In a week where Southgate says his options are being diminished due to the dwindling numbers of English players in the

Premier League,

Gracia says he should make a trip to Vicarage

Road to cast an eye on his crop of homegrown talent.

Gracia added: “We are speaking about Chalobah, but we also have Will Hughes and there are many other English players coming through.”