Crystal Palace v Watford: Eagles star hoping to be passed fit, Hornets duo eyeing return

Crystal Palace’s Christian Benteke could return to Crystal Palace’s squad for the Premier League clash with Watford.

Benteke has been absent since September 1 with a knee injury but boss Roy Hodgson has revealed the Belgium striker is in contention to face the Hornets.

Nya Kirby and Alexander Sorloth have been sent out on loan, while Pape Souare is out for two months because of a dislocated shoulder.

Provisional squad: Hennessey, Guaita, Speroni, Wan-Bissaka, Sakho, Kelly, Van Aanholt, Dann, Riedewald, Townsend, Kouyate, McArthur, Meyer, Milivojevic, Schlupp, Benteke, Ayew, Kaikai, Wickham.

Watford duo Andre Gray and Christian Kabasele have returned to training.

Gray has missed seven games following a leg injury, while Kabasele has been absent since he collided with a post in Watford’s Boxing Day defeat to Chelsea.

Defender Sebastian Prodl (knee) is now the only absentee from Javi Gracia’s squad.

Provisional squad: Foster, Cathcart, Kiko, Holebas, Sema, Doucoure, Quina, Pereyra, Kabasele, Cleverley, Penaranda, Deeney, Success, Capoue, Gomes, Mariappa, Masina, Kabasele, Wilmot, Chalobah, Deulofeu, Gray.