Watford vs Chelsea: Alexandre Pato available for debut but Willian doubtful

Chelsea new boy Alexandre Pato is available to make his debut in the Premier League visit to Watford – however manager Guus Hiddink is uncertain over the fitness of the Brazil international. Pato has not played since November 2015 and having participated in brief training sessions since is far from match fit for the game at Vicarage Road.

Pato was one of two signings made by the Blues during the January transfer window, with American defender Matt Miazga having arrived from New York Red Bulls. However he is not available to make his first appearance. The fitness of Pato will be determined following the first team's final training session on Tuesday [2 February] before a decision is made on if he will feature.

Hiddink's hand could yet to be forced with both Radamel Falcao and Loic Remy – who both failed to leave Chelsea during the final day of the January transfer window – are both unavailable due to injury. Winger Willian suffered a kick to his foot during the FA Cup win over Milton Keynes Dons and missed training on Monday [1 February] but yet could play.

"[Pato] is somewhere [short] of fitness," the Chelsea boss told reporters. "Yesterday he has to bureaucratic stuff which we have to accept. He was out of the country, he had to come into the country. He has worked for a few training sessions and he will be in this afternoon. If he is still up to the game we will decide that afterwards.

"He is in preparation and not fully fit. The paperwork is done and formally he is, but physically and mentally he has done hardly any work with the whole team. We have to be careful and prepare him well as soon as possible with a tight schedule coming up. The usual is not the right word; Falcao is out. I like the guy and he is desperate to get fit. Sorry for this word.

"[Miazga] is not in the squad yet because he is under preparation and we will see tomorrow, we make the [squad] list after today's training. Remy has this injury on his calf since 10 days so he will not be available."

On Willian, 27, he added: "Willian yesterday did not go onto the [training] pitch with a blow on his foot. Today he will be on the pitch and we will see how his reaction is after training." Chelsea travel to Watford in the hope of protecting an eight-match unbeaten run since Hiddink took formal charge of the team following the departure of Jose Mourinho.