Watford boss Roy Hodgson has, on Friday, provided an insight into the reasoning behind Danny Rose playing no part in his project at Vicarage Road.
For those not aware, veteran left-back Rose, after being afforded seven Premier League starts across the early months of the campaign, has since not featured in any capacity for Watford since all the way back in early December.
This comes despite the former Tottenham and Newcastle man remaining fit and ready for action.
Speaking in a press conference ahead of his side’s upcoming meeting with Arsenal, Roy Hodgson, this evening, was therefore asked for his take on Rose’s situation.
And the Hornets boss went on to hint that, had he been afforded the option, the 29-time capped English international may well have played a part in his project moving forward.
Danny Rose is challenged by Raphinha during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Watford at Elland Road on October 02, 2021 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
Hodgson, however, was simply informed by those in a position of power at Vicarage Road that Rose had been excluded from all first-team activities, with his inclusion over the 2nd half of the campaign having therefore never been an option:
“I came in and was given a list of players,” the Watford boss explained.
“These are the ones we expect you to work with and Dan (Rose) was unfortunately not on that list and I was told he is training separately and is not going to be involved with the club.
“And I was in, and am in, no position to question that. I met Danny, as I know him of course, and had a brief conversation and all I could say to him was that this has got nothing to do with me, it’s you and the club and this is what has been decided and this is what I’m doing so unfortunately you will have to accept the fate that has been dealt to you.”
Update: Roy Hodgson has confirmed that Danny Rose is training separately from rest of #WatfordFC squad. Club decision, not manager.
Details • @TheAthleticUK https://t.co/Vd4lVEC3Ak
— Adam Leventhal (@AdamLeventhal) March 4, 2022
Gunners showdown
Turning attentions back towards the pitch, Watford will of course kick their Premier League survival bid back into action on Sunday afternoon.
Buoyed by a credible share of the spoils at Old Trafford last time out, the Hornets are set to welcome Mikel Arteta’s in-form Arsenal to Hertfordshire, hopeful of making it back-to-back outings without defeat against the crop of top-4 chasing clubs.
This comes with Hodgson and co., as things stand, sitting 19th in the table, three points adrift of Everton and safety.
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