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Watford midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah could be back in training next month after a lengthy period on the sidelines.

The 23-year-old suffered a hairline fracture of his kneecap and has not played since the heavy defeat to Manchester City in September. It was a stress injury, rather than the result of a challenge.

Although the club originally said Chalobah should be back training in 2017, the length of his absence has been much longer and could stand at six months by the time he returns.

Watford have missed his presence in the middle of the park too, but Marco Silva will have to cope with him for a while yet.

Prior to his injury, Chalobah earned his first call up to the England senior team and was in the squad for the games with Malta and Slovakia.

He had been tipped as an wildcard for the World Cup squad, something Silva believes could still happen if he returns and hits his straps straight away.

"I’m sure he’ll have time to do everything [like prepare for the World Cup]," Silva said

"When he comes back, we hope he comes back in good form. He has quality, so it’s a matter of his confidence.

"I’m sure that he won’t lose that quality or skill, and everyone is ready to support him to help the team, and we’ll give him all the support he needs.

"If he does that, he can achieve his other ambitions like getting into the national team, when he did that before it was through his performances with us.

"The most important thing is when he will work with us. The most important thing is now when he will start to work with us, and after that we’ll see when he can work with us.

"He could be back in training with us next month."