Watford hope Georgian international Giorgi Chakvetadze will return to action next month after a frustrating injury layoff.

The Hornets playmaker has been out since April due to what the club describes as a “complex” bone issue in his foot caused by “overload and repetitive impacts”.

Chakvetadze joined Watford on loan from KAA Gent in the summer of 2023 before making the move permanent, and he has since established himself as one of the Championship’s best players. According to the club, the 25-year-old arrived early for pre-season training, but the injury is in a “slow-healing area”.

A scan in June revealed that the problem was still present but less severe, so he was gradually reintroduced into the main group last month and was scheduled to play a role in the friendly win against Deportivo. “However, after five sessions, Chakvetadze complained of pain and was re-scanned as a precaution.”

“After consultation with industry-leading foot experts, a period of non-impact and work on strength and conditioning only has been advised for six weeks, two of which will be during the first international break.”

He will have another scan at the end of that period and, if all goes well, he will return to the first-team squad.Chakvetadze has made 78 appearances for Watford, who began the season with a 1-0 loss to Charlton Athletic, and scored three goals.

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