Team news

Helguson pushes for starting spot Heidar Helguson is pushing to make his first start since rejoining Watford almost two months ago when Preston arrive at Vicarage Road.

The on-loan QPR striker returned as a substitute in last weekend's 5-0 defeat at West Brom, his first run-out since suffering a calf injury on his second debut for the Hornets, also from the bench, against Leicester in September.

But boss Malky Mackay will be without young midfielder Ross Jenkins, who this week underwent a back operation which will sideline him for at least a month.

Club captain Jay DeMerit is still missing following eye surgery, but the American centre-half hopes to be back before Christmas.

Rookie goalkeeper Jonathan Bond, 16, will be on the bench again if Richard Lee does not recover from his knee injury.

Preston skipper Callum Davidson is hoping to make his long-awaited return.

The Scotland defender has been out of action since September after tearing his hamstring while on international duty, but has now returned to full training.

Davidson told the Lancashire Evening Post: "I'm fully fit. I was last week, now it's just a case of waiting to get back into the team or squad.

"The last two months have been frustrating, although I've got back to fitness a bit quicker than I expected which is a bonus." Barry Nicholson remains a long-term absentee with a broken leg, but manager Alan Irvine expects everyone else to be fit, with Richard Chaplow set to shake off a shoulder injury he picked up in last week's 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace.

Watford vs Preston

Last modified 17:37 07/11/09

Hornets sting poor Preston Heidar Helguson marked his return to the Watford starting line-up with an early goal to put the hosts on course for a 2-0 victory over Preston.

The inconsistent Hornets came flying out of the blocks and broke the deadlock in the ninth minute when the Iceland international headed home.

On-loan Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley doubled the hosts' advantage just after the hour mark before England Under-21 goalkeeper Scott Loach showed a safe pair of hands to ensure the Hornets held on to take the points.

Helguson was making his first start since returning to Vicarage Road on loan from QPR almost two months ago, having made a substitute appearance in last weekend's 5-0 defeat at West Brom following a calf problem.

Preston were also able to welcome back a key player, with captain Callum Davidson in the side for the first time since September after recovering from a torn hamstring he suffered on international duty with Scotland.

But it was Helguson who made an immediate impact, carving out a chance for Danny Graham to fire wide early on.

He showed his strike partner the way to goal in the ninth minute, heading home Don Cowie's cross from close range.

Graham saw another early effort saved by visiting goalkeeper Andy Lonergan shortly after team-mate Craig Cathcart had headed wide as the hosts, clearly keen to prove a point following their thumping last week, made a strong start The Hornets, who had looked at the top of their game in their 4-1 victory over Sheffield Wednesday prior to the Baggies defeat, continued to create chances with John Eustace forcing Lonergan into a fine save before Cleverley failed to hit the target with a couple of efforts.

Lonergan had to be on top form to prevent the hosts from running away with it as he denied Arsenal loanee Henri Lansbury and defender Adrian Mariappa.

But he was helpless to prevent the Hornets doubling their lead in the 33rd minute when Lansbury played through Cleverley, who found the net.

Striker Jon Parkin had two chances to reduce the deficit before the break but saw his strike parried away by Loach before another effort in first-half stoppage time hit a post and went wide.

A Cleverley handball presented the visitors with a chance to get back into the game shortly after the break, but Loach was equal to Ross Wallace's free-kick.

The hosts should of been three up after the hour mark but Helguson failed to hit the target with a close-range header after latching onto a Lansbury cross.

Wallace was denied by Loach again and Cowie sent a strike over the bar from the edge of the area at the other end.