Former Watford and Norwich City striker Iwan Roberts believes Malky Mackay is destined to be a Premier League manager.

Mackay was named the Championship Manager of the Month for March last week and has earned plaudits for taking the Hornets to the brink of the play-offs, despite his team being deemed relegation favourites at the start of the season.

Roberts, who played alongside Mackay at tonight’s opponents Norwich City for six years, says it was obvious the Scot would make the successful transition into management.

“We used to have meetings at the training ground and dressing room and Malky always had something to say and he was a big voice out on the pitch too,” Roberts recalled.

“He was always passionate about talking football so you could tell that when his playing days came to an end he would step into management and he would be successful. He’s played for some very good managers and he’s learned a lot.

“He’s turned heads since he’s been at Watford. He’s probably had the lowest budget in the Championship and to finish in the top ten would be an outstanding achievement considering what he’s had at his disposal.

“I’m sure one day Malky will want to have a crack at the Premier League and I think one day he will get it. There’s already been clubs in for Malky. I think one day a Premier League club will come calling.”

Tonight’s game will feature two of the league’s most prolific strikers in Danny Graham and Grant Holt, with the pair netting 47 goals between them in all competitions this season.

Roberts, who is regarded as a legend at Carrow Road after making over 300 appearances from 1997 to 2004, believes that despite Holt’s qualities, Graham is the better striker.

“Every time I’ve seen Danny Graham he’s never failed to impress me,” Roberts said. “I think he is outstanding. You have Grant Holt at Norwich but I think Graham is the best centre-forward in this division.

“They are similar. They score all types of goals which is good for a centre forward. Maybe Grant is a little bit taller and heavier but I think he isn’t as quick as Graham.

“They have experienced football in the lower leagues and had to be patient, wait for their chance and they have taken it with both hands.

“I’ve seen Graham a few times this season. He’s a good size, he holds the ball up, he’s decent in the air, he has that little bit of pace that you need – he ticks all the boxes for me. I think given the chance he could play at a higher level.

“Malky won’t want to lose him because he would be a massive hole to fill but I’m sure there are one or two Premier League managers looking to strengthen in the summer and I’m sure his name will come up on a few shopping lists.”

Roberts, 42, retired from playing in 2006 and is now working as a pundit for BBC Wales.

The former Wales international started his career with Watford, moving to Hertfordshire as a youngster from his homeland in 1985. He went on to score 12 times in 83 appearances before leaving to join Huddersfield Town in 1990.

“As a young lad from North Wales it was a big step for me coming all that way,” he remembered. “I knew Tom Walley, the youth team manager at the time, and Malcolm Allen who I had played against in the Welsh leagues.

“Watford at the time was a really good club and doing well in the old First Division. Graham Taylor was manager; they had just reached an FA Cup final and had some great players in John Barnes, Luther Blissett and Nigel Callaghan.

“They had a really good side but they also grazed home grown talent so I knew I would receive good coaching. I thought that if I showed the potential that they thought I had and I worked hard then maybe I could break into the first team.

“I didn’t play as many games as I would have liked. I turned 21 and I wasn’t in the side and I was at an age where I needed to be playing on a regular basis. So after five years I had to leave and go to Huddersfield just so I could get regular first team football.

“I still remember my first ever professional goal against Manchester United. Graham Taylor decided to throw me on in the second half, I came on for Worrell Sterling and I think with about 15 minutes to go I scored the winner.

“To score my first professional goal against such a big club like Manchester United was amazing. In the highlights of my career that will definitely be up there. It was a very special night.”