Watford dealt significant blow ahead of Leeds United clash | OneFootball

Watford will be without the experienced centre-back when they face Leeds United on Tuesday night.

Watford have been dealt a major injury blow ahead of their encounter with Leeds United on Tuesday night.

Angelo Ogbonna limped off the pitch during the closing stages of Watford's 3-0 defeat to Luton Town at Kenilworth Road on Saturday afternoon.

Hornets boss Tom Cleverley has revealed that the centre-back's injury will keep him out of the clash at Elland Road, with the defender set to miss weeks on the sidelines.

Tom Cleverley reveals Angelo Ogbonna injury ahead of Leeds United clash

Having limped off against Luton on Saturday, Cleverley revealed that Ogbonna has suffered a hamstring injury which will keep him out of Watford's match with Leeds on Tuesday night.

The manager revealed the extent of the defender's injury ahead of the Championship fixture, as per the Yorkshire Evening Post.

He said: “The early signs for Angelo are not great, and it looks like he’s had a recurrence of the hamstring issue he suffered at the end of the Middlesbrough game.

“He’ll miss out tomorrow night. He had a scan this morning and I expect him to be out weeks rather than months."

Ogbonna signed for Watford having left West Ham United as a free agent over the summer and made his league debut in Watford's 2-1 victory over Sunderland at the end of September.

Since his debut, the Italian international has started every one of the Hornet's league games, playing against Preston North End, Middlesbrough and Luton.

While the injury to Ogbonna is a blow, the return of Francisco Sierralta should soften the impact on Watford's first team.

Francisco Sierralta set to return for Watford ahead of Leeds game

The return of Sierralta has come at the perfect time for Cleverley, given the injury to his teammate.

"The timing of Francisco Sierralta returning has happened at a very good time,” Cleverley added, as per the Yorkshire Evening Post.

The Chilean international was 50-50 for Watford's clash with Luton over the weekend, but was named on the bench for the Hornets' heavy derby defeat.

The centre-back started the season as Cleverley's preferred choice in the hub of the Hornets' defence and helped the club get off to a fast start, with three wins in their opening three games.

Sierralta has played as part of a Hornets back three, which has predominantly featured Mattie Pollock and James Morris.

Having started every one of Watford's opening six games, the 27-year-old suffered a muscle injury in the early stages of their 4-1 defeat to Norwich City. The defender only lasted 10 minutes before leaving the field with an injury.

Sierralta has not featured since for the Hornets but will likely slot straight in for the absent Ogbonna, when Watford meet Leeds on Tuesday evening.

Cleverley's side will be without Ogbonna for their match with Leeds on Tuesday night. The Italian started the club's last four Championship games after making his debut against the Black Cats.

The injury to the 36-year-old coincided with the return of Sierralta, who returned to the bench against Luton following a spell on the sidelines.