Watford Captain Troy Deeney to Serve 4-Game Ban Over Xmas After Losing Red Card Appeal

Watford captain Troy Deeney will serve a four-game ban after losing an appeal against the red card he was shown at the weekend in the defeat against Huddersfield.

The suspension, which is Deeney's second of the season after already accepting a retrospective charge for violent conduct in late October, will see him miss the entire festive period as the Hornets contend with a packed schedule between now and early January.

The 29-year-old striker was dismissed against Huddersfield after a reckless challenge on Terriers forward Colin Quaner was deemed by referee Michael Oliver to be serious foul play.

The first game Deeney will miss comes away against Brighton on Saturday in the final game before Christmas. He will then be out of the Boxing Day clash with Leicester at Vicarage Road, followed by the home game with Swansea on 30th December and the first game of 2018 when the team travels to the Etihad Stadium to face league leaders Manchester City on 2nd January.

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Having been in and out of new manager Marco Silva's plans earlier in the season, Deeney had actually started four Premier League games in a row prior to Saturday's red card.

He has scored twice in the league so far in 2017/18, with Watford's top scorers midfield dynamo Abdoulaye Doucoure on six and Brazilian winger Richarlison on five.