Watford boss Rob Edwards says Joao Pedro 'wasn't right' for the Hornets' visit to Preston North End on Saturday afternoon. The Brazilian, 20, is said to have picked up a minor calf knock against Birmingham earlier this week.
Pedro's absence comes as Newcastle United aim to make the forward their fourth signing of the summer. The Magpies have tested Watford's resolve with two bids this window and are now considering whether to try for a third time.
Edwards is desperate to keep Pedro at Vicarage Road beyond the summer after losing Emmanuel Dennis to Nottingham Forest and with Ismaila Sarr attracting interest from other Premier League sides.
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Watford drew 0-0 with Preston on Saturday as they struggled to break down the opposition at Deepdale. Speaking after the game, Edwards admitted a calf scan meant Pedro wasn't able to feature.
“We had to make a couple of changes and we were unlucky yesterday with João Pedro just feeling his calf from the Birmingham game," he said. "He was uncomfortable with his calf, and he had it scanned and he wasn’t right for the match.
“Ismaïla Sarr trained yesterday and was meant to play today, but between us and him we weren’t fully confident, even though he travelled up here wanting to play. We had to make a couple of changes - one yesterday and one this morning.
"That’s something that really pleased me - the adaptability of the players. That’s what the squad is about. We are going to have to make changes because we have 46 matches. There will be injuries and suspensions, so you have to come together because we are all in it together as a group.”
A senior Watford source told ChronicleLive the club had made their position 'very clear' when it comes to Pedro not being for sale. However, the player wants Premier League football and would be open to moving to Tyneside.
ChronicleLive also understands the player's representatives were 'mystified' by Watford's hard-line stance after Newcastle's opening offer. Pedro would join fellow Brazilians Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton upon a move up north.
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