Watford coach: ‘injured’ Success ready for Middleborough game

Watford boss Walter Mazzarri backed injured Nigerian striker Isaac Success to play against Middleborough on Saturday, despite the player’s claim of injury which necessitated his absence for Nigeria against Zambia.

Controversies have trailed the player’s absence with reports in local media stating Success was feigning injury but Mazzarri revealed that he will be in contention to make his first start for the club and a decision will be made at the last minute.

He said: “He recovered very well. He looks okay; the only thing I need to check now is if he has the 90 minutes in him and if he has recovered completely from the injury from the last game.

“We have a very good relationship with the Nigerian national team. Also the proof is immediately after the game we sent the email to them and also spoke to them over the phone confirming that Success had an injury. They replied confirming that he was excuse by their technical director, so we don’t have any problem with the NFF.

“I think he is adapting very well to English football. Every time when he has come, including Burnley where the whole team played very badly, he has been one of the best. Of course since he hasn’t trained a lot lately because of his injuries we need to understand if he has the 90 minutes in his legs.

“I am reflecting on it [whether he starts], evaluating all the different options and it is something I will decide at the last minute.”

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