MX23RW : Wednesday, July 8 07:48:34| >> :120:34615:34615:

Watford keen to move on from Andre Gray controversy

Watford keen to move on from Andre Gray controversy
© Reuters
Andre Gray, Nathaniel Chalobah and Domingos Quina were all dropped by the Hornets last time out.

Watford assistant boss Craig Shakespeare insists the club have "drawn a line" under the absence of three key players for last week's Premier League defeat against Southampton.

Andre Gray, Nathaniel Chalobah and Domingos Quina will all be in contention for Saturday's trip to Chelsea having been left out after Gray reportedly breached social distancing regulations by hosting a birthday party.

Gray subsequently described the event as "a gathering of friends which turned into a sort of football tournament" in an apology on Instagram.

AFC Bournemouth v Watford – Premier League – Vitality Stadium
Nathaniel Chalobah will feature for the Hornets against Chelsea (Adam Davy/PA)

The 3-1 loss to Southampton left the Hornets teetering on the brink of the bottom three, but Shakespeare said there were no recriminations and the squad will now look to the future with the trio back in the fold.

Shakespeare, hosting media duties in place of ill boss Nigel Pearson, said: "We have got to the bottom of it and they have apologised to staff and players individually and collectively.

"Once we welcomed them back, we try to get on with it as normal. They have admitted they were wrong. They have settled back into it, they know they have made a mistake and want to make up for it.

Liverpool v Watford – Premier League – Anfield Stadium
Domingos Quina has apologised to his Watford team-mates (Peter Byrne/PA)

"We have drawn a line under it, we have moved on. We have mistakes from individuals during games – they don't mean to make mistakes, but can we rectify them? Yes, we can.

"The next chance to rectify it will be against Chelsea. And if they play their part, all is well and good."

Shakespeare confirmed that Pearson is expected to be back in the dugout at Stamford Bridge, despite his absence on Thursday.

ID:404856:

Click here for more stories about Andre Gray

Click here for more stories about Watford

Share this article now:
RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner pictured on June 6, 2020
Read Next:
Premier League: Transfer ins and outs - Summer 2020
>
Latest Sports Video
Did you know...?
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.

rhs 2.0
Premier League
Championship
La Liga
Serie A
Primeira Liga
Turkish Super Lig
Greek Superleague
Swiss Super League
Russian Premier League
Danish Superliga
Finnish Veikkausliiga
Segunda Division
Brasileiro
J1 League
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CLiverpool33292272254789
2Manchester CityMan City33213981344766
3Chelsea341861063461760
4Leicester CityLeicester34178964323259
5Manchester UnitedMan Utd331510856332355
6Wolverhampton WanderersWolves33131374536952
7Arsenal34121485042850
8Tottenham HotspurSpurs33139115244848
9Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd33121293433148
10Burnley33137133746-946
11Everton33128134048-844
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle331110123545-1043
13Southampton33134164255-1343
14Crystal Palace34119143043-1342
15Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton33812133544-936
16West Ham UnitedWest Ham3387184058-1831
17Watford34710173153-2231
18Aston Villa3376203662-2627
19Bournemouth3376203259-2727
20Norwich CityNorwich3456232663-3721

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!