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Cape Town - Watford
boss Walter Mazzarri has a serious defensive crisis on his hands as he
prepares the team for Saturday's trip to high-flying Tottenham.
Mazzarri was already without Sebastian Prodl and Christian Kabasele for the visit of Sunderland last weekend, only to lose Younes Kaboul to a hamstring injury in the 1-0 win.
To add to the Italian's woes, Miguel Britos will also miss the clash with Spurs as the Uruguayan centre-back serves a suspension for the red card he received in Tuesday's 2-0 victory over West Brom.
Mazzarri admits he is down to the bare bones for the match at White Hart Lane, with Roberto Pereyra (knee), Maurao Zarate (anterior cruciate ligament) and Ben Watson (groin) unavailable as well, while Heurelho Gomes, Etienne Capoue and Valon Behrami are considered doubts.
"It's our destiny. Against Tottenham, we are always in an emergency," he declared. "Britos was important because Kaboul and Prodl were injured and we do not have a defence now.
"We had one of the best games since I have been here on Tuesday, where the players played the way I like and I would have liked to have been able to play against Tottenham with a full team.
"But I told my players this morning that whoever is going to play Saturday has the chance to show that they deserve to have been playing in the past as well."
Despite suffering a steady stream of injuries throughout the season, Mazzarri's side find themselves sitting 10th in the league table which is one pleasing aspect for the 55-year-old.
"It's incredible," he added. "It's unusual and the injuries we have had this season are unusual injuries.
"I'm happy that despite all the injuries we are still going strong. It's one injury after the other. With Zarate, (Daryl) Janmaat, (Craig) Cathcart, it's difficult.
"I was told last year there weren't many injuries. But that's another reason I'm happy, as despite that, we're doing well."
