Keep, loan or sell - the 22 Watford players who didn't get on the pitch against Middlesbrough

Watford got their Championship campaign off to the perfect start on Friday with a 1-0 victory over Middlesbrough.

Craig Carthcart got the only goal of the game and it was enough to give Vladimir Ivic success in his first game in charge of the club.

New right back Jeremy Ngakia was handed his debut following his summer arrival from West Ham, while veteran forward Glenn Murray, who is on loan from Brighton for the season, was a second-half substitute.

Fellow summer signings Francisco Sierralta and Stipe Perica were not involved at all, although the former was on the bench.

A total of 22 players from the Watford first team squad did not get on the pitch on Friday night.

Here is a closer look at each one's situation and what it means for their future moving forward.

Daryl Janmaat

The experienced Dutch defender is still sidelined with a knee injury and is unclear how much longer he will be out for.

Verdict: Loan out when ready to help him back to fitness

Craig Dawson

The 30-year-old centre-back was ill for the opening game although reports on social media suggested he had refused to play.

Ivic has stated he only wants players who want to fight for the club so if Dawson even has half an eye on elsewhere, it may be best for both parties he goes.

Verdict: Keep

Gerard Deulofeu

The Spanish midfielder is expected to return to training this week after a knee injury so fans will be hoping to see him back out on the pitch sooner rather than later.

The club may want to cash in on him although his injury may prevent him from an imminent departure.

Verdict: Keep

Troy Deeney

The club stalwart is on the way back to full fitness but speculation remains over his future at the club.

Given the strikers currently on Watford's books, he may struggle to play week in, week out.

He has expressed a desire to continue in the Premier League and if the right offer comes in, expect him to go either on loan or permanently.

Verdict: Loan or sell

Adam Masina

Defender Masina picked up an injury in pre-season during the game with Scunthorpe United and subsequently had to have an operation so he remains sidelined.

Verdict: Keep

Adalberto Peñaranda

The Venezuelan has made just three competitive appearances since joining the club in 2016 and has spent the majority of the past four seasons out on loan.

A fresh start elsewhere may be beneficial for all parties.

Verdict: Loan or sell

Andre Gray

The striker is another player in the treatment room. He is nursing a hamstring strain which he picked up in the pre-season friendly win over Spurs but a player Ivic likes a lot.

Verdict: Keep

Will Hughes

Like Gray, Hughes is expected to be back in action over the next couple of weeks as he recovers from what the club say is a 'medical procedure' over pre-season.

His experience in the second tier will be crucial for the side this season.

Verdict: Keep

Isaac Success

Success is one of the longer term absentees due to an Achilles injury. It is not known yet when the forward will be back in action.

Verdict: Loan

Ismaïla Sarr

The striker has been linked all summer with a big money move away from the club and that's set to continue with his omission from the squad on Friday night.

Leicester City and Liverpool are the latest clubs to be linked with his services.

Verdict: Sell if right offer comes in

Tom Dele-Bashiru

The young midfielder is still biding his time in a Watford shirt having made just three senior appearances since his arrival in 2019.

Verdict: Loan

Stipe Perica

The big Croat did not make the matchday squad but given his recent arrival, is likely to need a few weeks to get up to speed with things.

Verdict: Keep

Luis Suárez

A few eyebrows were raised at the exclusion from the matchday squad of the young striker but he is an exciting talent and could feature at Oxford in the League Cup on Tuesday night.

Verdict: Keep

Étienne Capoue

Speculation continues over his future with Valencia - managed by former Watford boss Javi Gracia - linked with a move for him.

He's another player the club may decide to cash in on as they help Ivic rebuild.

Verdict: Sell

Pervis Estupiñán

The Ecuador left-back is closing in on a switch to Villarreal so his time in Hertfordshire is now up.

Verdict: Sell

Daniel Bachmann

The reserve goalkeeper is likely to play second fiddle for the majority of the season but may get a chance in the cup games.

Verdict: Keep

Francisco Sierralta

The new centre-back was an unused substitute at Vicarage Road so is having to be patient for his first start.

Expect it to come sooner rather than later though as he gives Ivic another option for the defence.

Verdict: Keep

Ignacio Pussetto

Pussetto only joined Watford in January but found first-team opportunities few and far between over the second half of last season.

Although he didn't make it off the bench against Boro, the fact he was there suggests he is part of Ivic's plans for the side going forward.

Verdict: Keep

Jerome Sinclair

The 23-year-old forward has had a number of spells out on loan these past few days so will be hoping this year is his chance at the club.

Although he won't start every game, he could be a useful player to have coming off the bench.

Verdict: Keep

Adam Parkes

The young shotstopper probably won't see many minutes but adds strength to the goalkeeping department.

Verdict: Keep

Roberto Pereyra

Maybe a player the club decide to cash in on. The midfielder revealed earlier on in the year he wanted a move elsewhere this summer and Watford are unlikely to stand in his way.

Verdict: Sell

Danny Welbeck

Another player whose future is uncertain - Welbeck has been away from the first team group.

He reportedly has a £5.5m release clause in his contract and a number of clubs in the UK and Europe are said to be keen on him.

Verdict: Sell