Watford manager Gianfranco Zola has recalled top scorer Matej Vydra for the visit of Derby County this afternoon.

The 19-goal striker was rested for the midweek win over Ipswich Town, but returns for today's Vicarage Road clash as Zola rotates his forwards.

Troy Deeney and Fernando Forestieri drop out as Alexandre Geijo partners Vydra up front, while another Udinese loanee, Cristian Battocchio, comes back into midfield in place of Jonathan Hogg.

The Rams name Ben Davies, a midfielder by trade, at right-back in the absence of the injured Kieron Freeman. He is joined on the sidelines by England Under-21 international midfielder Will Hughes.

Jake Buxton is named in the Derby squad for the first time in two months following a knee injury and is alongside new signing Chris Martin, who signed on loan from Norwich City this week, on the visiting bench.

Watford: Almunia; Doyley, Nosworthy, Ekstrand; Cassetti, Abdi, Battocchio, Chalobah, Anya; Geijo, Vydra

Derby: Legzdins; Davies, Keogh, Brayford, Hoganson; Coutts, Hendrick, Bryson, Jacobs; Ward, Sammon