Marco Silva will make his dugout ‘debut’ as Watford head coach in this afternoon’s friendly at AFC Wimbledon, but he will be without several players.

The Hornets boss has selected a strong squad for the game against Neal Ardley’s men , but the club have confirmed at least nine players will be absent for a variety of injury reasons.

The match comes to soon for Craig Cathcart following the knee injury he sustained towards the end of last season, while Adrian Mariappa (knee) and Younes Kaboul (hamstring) have yet to return to full training.

New signing Kiko Femenia will also miss out after sustaining a “slight” hamstring injury, although he has trained this week, and Tommie Hoban will sit the game out with a minor knee problem, but is due to travel to Austria next week.

Roberto Pereya will also be kept on the sidelines as a precaution, although he continues to build up his return following his knee injury, while Watford have described Mauro Zarate’s progress as “on track”.

Troy Deeney is another to miss the game with a groin injury and Tom Cleverley is only back in light training after a fall on his shoulder.