The experienced performer played just 13 times during an underwhelming spell at City in 2014
Watford boss Javi Gracia has hailed former Hull City winger Tom Ince after he fired a hat-trick in their 3-0 thumping of hapless Birmingham City on Thursday.
The 33-year-old has come in from the Hertfordshire cold since Gracia returned to the club and will arrive at the MKM Stadium on Sunday to face his former club high on confidence.
Ince bagged two in an impressive first half and another in the second to put the seal on a comprehensive victory that moved Watford above City in the table, after their 1-0 home loss to Stoke City.
“I’m delighted for Tom. He scored three goals but I know tomorrow Tom will be the first one at the training session and ready,” the Hornets boss said. “If I decide he will play, he will be ready; if I decide other things, he will accept. We need this kind of behaviour if we want to create something different.”
That was their fourth win in a row and saw them leapfrog the Tigers in fourth place and at the top of the Championship’s form table ahead of the MKM Stadium showdown on Sunday afternoon in the final second-tier outing before the FA Cup break.
“I don’t spend much time watching the table,” he continued “I prefer to be focused on the next game against Hull City. We only have two days to analyse, to prepare for the game, to travel, to recover the players and train.
“It’s a good moment for the team, having good performances at home and away. It’s something amazing for us and helps us to believe in all the things we are doing, believing in the power of the squad.
“We have many things to do. When we arrived, it was our objective to help the players play as a team because there is no doubt about the quality and attitude. But we have to synchronise all the feelings, skills, the different moments during the season.
“It is good because you try to explain to them why we do this or that, and they believe in it. And this way we can manage the games better.”
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