Tom Cleverley bemoans Baah’d luck as Watford winger injured

It was a frustrating afternoon for the Hornets manager, who expects another injury lay-off for the winger.

The Robins soared into a 2-0 lead, thanks to goals from Ross McCrorie and Nahki Wells.

Mamadou Doumbia’s consolation effort wasn’t enough in the end as the visitors slumped to a third defeat in their last five matches.

SETBACK: Cleverley

Huge blow

On Baah’s injury, Cleverley said: “It was a huge blow losing Kwadwo so early after we had made a really good start to the game.

“He has suffered a recurrence of his recent thigh injury and faces another lay-off.

“We are not the same attacking force without his pace.

“James Abankwah has clearly made a mistake for their first goal, but that happens with young players, and it’s important that we now rally around him.

“The ball has clearly also gone out of play in the build-up to their second goal.

“The referee has the support of an assistant and the fourth official, but still got it wrong.

“There is no more I can say.”

Impact

Doumbia did make an impact when he came on, and Cleverley expects him to play a part as they continue their play-off push.

“Mamadou scored a very good goal, so he has every chance of starting our next game,” he said.

“Unfortunately, the two-goal deficit gave us too much of a mountain to climb.

“Whether or not a play-off challenge is still on, I don’t know.

“I just am very proud that we are still being mentioned as contenders at the top end of the table.”