WATFORD are continuing to move in the right direction after three successive wins, but their early season credentials will undergo a stern examination over what promises to be an exciting bank holiday weekend.

The two highest scoring teams in the four English divisions will meet in front of the live Sky Sports cameras at Vicarage Road tomorrow (Saturday,August 27), when league leaders Reading are in town and, two days later, the Hornets face another high-riding side, Derby County, at Pride Park.

"It will be a great weekend, really exciting," said Adrian Boothroyd, who is relishing the challenge. "They are two teams in the upper echelons to test ourselves against."

The Royals visit Vicarage Road on the back of four straight wins, although an understrength team needed extra-time to see off the challenge of Swansea City in the Carling Cup on Tuesday night.

Boothroyd though, is an admirer of the way boss Steve Coppell has consistently had his side in the upper reaches of the table in recent years.

"They're always there or thereabouts," said the Watford boss. "They've got quite a small squad but it's full of quality and they will be a test. I have looked at Reading and the way they've done it and their starting 11 or 12 is very good in every position and that's what I've tried to do here."

Boothroyd has a fully fit squad to choose from and may opt to stick with the side that saw off Burnley last weekend, although new signing Matthew Spring could be pushing for a starting berth after an eye-catching first full 90 minutes in yellow in Tuesday's Carling Cup success.