Watford injury returnees like new signings - Dionisi

Watford manager Alessio Dionisi said the return to fitness of several first-teamers over the extended international break was like having "new" players.

The Hornets, who go into Saturday's Championship meeting with bottom of the table Burnley in 20th, were unable to name a full complement of substitutes in two of their final three matches before the break.

But Dionisi confirmed Soumaila Coulibaly, Jordan Zemura, Martin Payero, Omar Traore, Marc Bola and Travis Akomeah - along with new signing Krepin Diatta - are available for selection.

"It is better for us because now we have enough players to have two teams on the [training] pitch." Dionisi told BBC Three Counties Radio.

However, the Italian, who was appointed in June, sounded a note of caution adding that the returnees were "not ready for 90 minutes".

He also confirmed that Edoardo Bove, Jeremy Ngakia and Kwadwo Baah remain absent.

"They will probably be ready after the next international break [in November], but for me, we have a lot of 'new' players," Dionisi said.

Watford are aiming to bounce back from back-to-back defeats to Stoke and Bristol City prior to the break when the Clarets visit Vicarage Road.

"We've played eight matches," Dionisi said. "The last matches, the results were not good for us and for now it's better for us to think to the future.

"I love my job, I love my work. The international break was important to recover, to know better the new players and for me to see my family. But I stay well when I'm on the pitch."