Malky Mackay insists playing “Premiership-sized” Middlesbrough will ensure there is no complacency from Watford tomorrow.

The Hornets moved into the play-off positions with a thumping 6-1 win at Millwall, but the Watford boss is adamant his young side will be fully focused when Gordon Strachan's men travel to Vicarage Road.

Mackay said: “I think the fact it is Middlesbrough here on Saturday means there will be no complacency to start with because you are playing against one of the big guns.

“It shouldn’t matter who you are playing against really but it does give the match that extra little edge.

“The moment the players came back into training on Tuesday the focus was totally on Middlesbrough this Saturday.”

Boro have spent huge amounts since Strachan’s arrival almost a year ago with a host of big-money signings from north of the border.

The Teessiders started the campaign slowly and are yet to score an away goal in the Championship this season.

But Boro beat Burnley and Reading in their last two fixtures and Mackay is not surprised there has been an improvement in results.

The Hornets manager said: “Middlesbrough have invested heavily in the last year and have got an experienced manager and players who have international and European experience, so eventually you would expect them to hit some form with the squad gelling together and the manager instilling how he wants them to play.

“It has not surprised me one bit they are now getting results. They are a Premiership-sized club with a Premiership-sized budget with experienced players and manager.”

Watford have a Middlesbrough contingent in their squad this season with midfielder Josh Walker and full-back Andrew Taylor joining Danny Graham at the club.

Taylor has started the last two Watford matches at left-back but is ineligible as part of his loan move from the Riverside.

“It is no different from when someone gets injured and you have to change the group around,” Mackay said. “We always knew he would be ineligible for this game so it is something we just have to adapt to.

“Andrew goes out but it gives someone else a chance to come in and stake their claim.”

There have been reports in the north that Watford are keen to extend Taylor’s loan until the end of the season but Mackay claims they are wide of the mark.

He said: “It is something we will talk to Middlesbrough about closer to the time. He has only been in the door two weeks so we will let him get his feet under the table first.”

Taylor is expected to be the only absentee from the match-day squad tomorrow despite a few minor injuries.

Mackay said: “We have some bumps and bruises that we are nursing at the moment but nothing that will affect our squad for Saturday.”

Tuesday will see the return of former Watford manager Brendan Rodgers for the first time since he angered Hornets fans by leaving to join Reading.

Rodgers parted ways with the Royals before they travelled to Vicarage Road in April, but now the Northern Irishman is back as Swansea City boss, having guided them to five victories in six matches in all competitions.

However, Mackay insists the return of Rodgers “doesn’t add any spice to the fixture” and stressed: “We have got Swansea next week but everything now is geared towards Middlesbrough.”

The Hornets have enjoyed a strong start to the season but Mackay has stated on a number of occasions he would still like to bring in another player on loan.

When asked if the club was any closer to tying up a deal, he replied: “At the moment there is nothing in the pipeline.”