Watford are set to lose five players during the upcoming Africa Cup Of Nations, which is more than any other team in the Premier League.
While the competition has already been pushed back twice, it is due to kickstart on January 9, despite fears that it could be postponed due to rising COVID-19 numbers.
This could lead to Claudio Ranieri being without several members of his squad for seven games, depending on how deep each team goes in the tournament.
The Hornets have three players representing Nigeria, including the in-form Emmanuel Dennis, and he will be joined by Peter Etebo and William Troost-Ekong.
Adam Masina is part of the Morocco team, while Ismaila Sarr shall be involved with Senegal, and they could all miss some crucial Premier League fixtures, including relegation battles with Newcastle United and Norwich City.
As well as that, Watford will play Tottenham Hotspur, Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Ham United (twice), plus there is also an FA Cup fixture with Leicester City during the tournament.
Ranieri's squad currently sit 17th in the table with just two points separating them and the relegation zone as they head into this busy period of games.
