Watford hope Georgia international Giorgi Chakvetadze will finally return to action next month following a frustrating injury lay-off.
The Hornets playmaker has not been available since April because of what the club describe as a "complex" bone issue in his foot, the result of "overload and repetitive impacts".
Chakvetadze first joined Watford on loan from KAA Gent in the summer of 2023 before making the move permanent and has established himself as one of the best players in the Championship.
The club stated the 25-year-old reported early for pre-season training but the injury is in a "slow-healing area".