Roy Hodgson rules out Samuel Kalu, Troost-Ekong from Brentford clash

Watford manager Roy Hodgson has ruled out the Super Eagles duo of Samuel Kalu and William Troost-Ekong from this weekend's Premier League fixture against Brentford.

Kalu and Troost-Ekong continue their spell out of the Watford Matchday squad with both Nigerian internationals having managed only three club appearances between them this season.

The 19th-placed Hornets take on the Bees at Vicarage Road on Saturday as they strive to avoid relegation to the Championship this season.

During his pre-match press conference, Hodgson confirmed that neither of the Super Eagles players will feature in Saturday's fixture, citing different injury concerns.

According to the Watford manager, Kalu has an ankle injury while Troost-Ekong picked up a 'slight hamstring strain.'

"Samuel Kalu, who was with us last time, has got an ankle injury. Will Troost-Ekong is suffering from a slight hamstring strain. We don’t think it’s major but too early to risk him in this game," Hodgson explained.

Samuel Kalu has made only two appearances for Watford since he completed his winter transfer from Bordeaux to the Premier League club.

The 24-year-old forward made his debut for Watford as an 89th-minute substitute in a 3-2 home defeat to Arsenal on March 6.

His second appearance for Watford was in the next match, a 4-0 away drubbing at the hands of Wolverhampton Wanderers during which Kalu came on as a half-time substitute.

William Troost-Ekong has made only one appearance for Watford since the turn of the year, a 1-0 home defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on New Year's Day. 

The 28-year-old lost his place in Watford's starting XI after a series of costly errors at the beginning of the season. 

Emmanuel Dennis is the only Nigerian International set to play some part in Watford's clash with Brentford this weekend.