WATFORD will be without the services of Gifton Noel-Williams for up to six weeks. The young striker underwent a groin operation this week.

Watford manager Graham Taylor said: "It is not a hernia but rather a slight muscle tear in the groin area which has had to be repaired.

"We are not anticipating that he will be out for the rest of the season but I doubt if we will see him back in the next four to six weeks."

Losing the young striker is a blow but Watford may take heart from the omens, because they lost him two years ago at around the same time of the year (Jan 30), and went on to win promotion.

"So we have one out but three are returning," said the Watford boss, who hopes to welcome Nick Wright back into full training along with Dominic Foley and young Gary Fisken who has been out with a stress fracture.

As for his immediate first-team concerns, as the Hornets take their promotion cause to Crewe, Tommy Mooney has returned from a bout of tonsilitis and would appear favourite to move to the wide-left spot in place of Peter Kennedy, for Taylor is unlikely to leave out his leading scorer.

Kennedy will be among those vying for the vacant midfield place caused by Paolo Vernazza's one-match suspension.

"So we do have an enforced change. Micah Hyde will be wanting to get back into action and we have Peter Kennedy as well," said the Watford boss, who also has Neil Cox back from suspension and likely to regain his place as James Panayi is out with a deep cut in his shin.

"Crewe have had something like four wins on the trot. Dario Gradi is still there," said Taylor.

"Whatever they are doing in this division, even if it is battling against the drop, every year they stay in, it is a massive achievement and of great credit to them.

"People will know, in this world of TV money, the rich are getting richer but if it means there is no room for the Crewes of this world, then I think football will be a poorer game for it."

Gradi, who is thought to be celebrating his 800th game as Crewe boss, is likely to reach the 1,000-game mark next season, if his totals at Wimbledon are added.

"They have since discovered that Alec Stock who started in 1949 at Orient and finished in 1982 at Bournemouth, was the first to pass 1,000 games," said Taylor who has his own copy of Stock's autobiography "A Little Thing Called Pride".

Said Taylor: "It is an excellent book and has the advantage of having been written at the end of his career. I find myself passing over autobiographies that are written by 25-year-olds."