DEAN HAMMOND is relishing the prospect of facing what he believes is one of the best sides in the division.

Albion return to action after a blank Boxing Day at home to Watford on Saturday.

The Hornets, whose match at Bristol City was postponed yesterday due to a waterlogged pitch, are sixth in the table with just one defeat in their last ten matches.

Gianfranco Zola’s side have won six and drawn three in that period compared to Albion’s three wins in their last 16 matches and none in the last four.

Albion slipped a place to tenth in the table following yesterday’s Championship results when Nottingham Forest moved above them with a 4-2 defeat of Leeds which was not enough to save manager Sean O’Driscoll from being sacked.

Midfielder Hammond knows the threat posed by Watford but is looking forward to Saturday’s televised early evening showdown.

He said: “They are playing really well. We played them earlier in the season and we beat them 1-0 but they are one of the best sides we have played.

“They play good football like us and it will a tough game but it doesn’t matter who you play in this division it will be a tough game.

“We are ready and we are looking forward to it.”

Right-backs Bruno and Inigo Calderon trained with Albion yesterday and manager Gus Poyet confirmed afterwards they will be fit for Saturday’s game.

Gary Dicker, who would have been in the squad for last Saturday’s game at Blackburn which was postponed, also trained yesterday while left-back Marcos Painter should resume training today.