Tom Cleverley makes first appearance of any sort SINCE JANUARY with Watford U23s… before match is abandoned after power cut
Ex-Manchester United star is nearing his return to the first-team following his recovery from an Achilles operation
TOM CLEVERLEY returned to action for the first time since January... before a power cut caused the game to be abandoned.
The 29-year-old started for Watford's Under-23 squad against Millwall following his recovery from an Achilles operation.
Cleverly confirmed that he is nearing his return to the first-team when he made his comeback at the Maurice Rebak Stadium.
Fans were excited to see him back on the pitch, with one stating: "Great to see him back in black and yellow!"
Another excited Twitter user wrote: "Good to see Tom Cleverley starting for the U23s and stepping up his return to first-team involvement."
Watford made a promising start to the match and were 1-0 before half-time after Michael Folivi broke the deadlock.
But Cleverley's comeback ended prematurely after the game was called off before the final whistle.
The Hornets confirmed on Twitter: "The match is abandoned due to a power cut at the Maurice Rebak Stadium. #WatfordFC U23s had been leading 1-0 when play was spotted."
The 29-year-old is not expected to start Monday's match against Everton, but he could be named on Javi Gracia's bench.
Following his surgery, the former Manchester United star vowed to come back stronger than ever.
He said: "This is something I've put up with during my career so it's good to get it sorted.
"I had been used to playing with pain in my ankle. Now that's going to be a thing of the past, I'll be fit and raring to win my place back once I've finished my rehab."