The signing of Andrew Taylor means Watford can now stop putting square pegs in round holes, according to manager Malky Mackay.

Middlesbrough defender Taylor has joined the Hornets on loan until January and played the full 90 minutes at left-back against Doncaster Rovers and Bristol City.

Right-footed Lloyd Doyley, who has been suffering with a calf injury in recent weeks, has filled in at left-back for the last 20 months, but the arrival of Taylor looks set to pit Doyley against 18-year-old Lee Hodson, who impressed on Tuesday night, for the right-back slot.

When asked about the positive headache of Taylor’s arrival, Mackay responded: “It gives us options other than having to put square pegs in round holes.”

Taylor was a regular for Middlesbrough during their time in the Premier League and has appeared 125 times for Boro since making his debut in January 2006.

But injuries and the arrival of a number of new signings have limited the 24-year-old’s game time in the last year and he had only made one substitute appearance for Boro this season before arriving at Vicarage Road on August 31.

Taylor went straight into the Watford side against Doncaster though, and put in a good performance.

Speaking after Saturday’s match, Mackay said: “He was calm and composed and someone who looks like he has played a lot of games in the Premier League. He has a lovely left foot and nice balance to his game.

“For someone who has been here a week he has slipped into the group so comfortably and that underlines his professionalism.

“As the games go on he will get sharper because he has not played a lot of football, so he was desperate to play 90 minutes.”

l Mackay is hoping Liam Henderson’s loan move to Colchester United can have a similar effect on the striker as Marvin Sordell’s spell at Tranmere Rovers last season.

“Liam has scored lots of goals for the reserves over the last 18 months and I feel it’s time for him to go out and gain valuable experience at league level,” said the Watford boss of the player who has moved to the League One club until January.

“A similar situation proved very beneficial to Marvin Sordell last season. So we think that going to Colchester United and working with John Ward will be great for Liam.”