Head coach Tom Cleverley hopes Watford will see the best of Giorgi Chakvetadze as they look for a big improvement on last season's 15th-place Championship finish.
The 24-year-old Georgia midfielder made 37 appearances for the Hornets last season after arriving from Belgian club KAA Gent, initially on loan.
He gave Watford the lead in Tuesday's pre-season friendly against Wycombe Wanderers, but they eventually lost the game 3-2.
"It's a huge positive from the last few days to see Giorgi back and on top form," Cleverley told BBC Three Counties Radio.
"He was nursing a groin issue the last few games of last season and then he's gone away to the Euros, so I've never really seen the best side of Giorgi.