Watford manager Malky Mackay believes young full back Lee Hodson has suffered this season because of the club’s small squad.

Hodson is already a full Northern Ireland international and has made 62 appearances for Watford despite technically being a first-year professional.

However, by his own admission, the defender went through a difficult period earlier in the season where his confidence was badly affected by a run of disappointing performances.

The 19-year-old has recovered well in recent weeks though and scored his first professional goal on Saturday against Leeds United.

Mackay said: “I think Lee suffered because he went into the team so young and played a large number of games because he had to.

“He should really be a fringe player in the squad in the Championship when you look at the age of him and what he has done in football.

“But he has had to be fast tracked and with that you are going to get dips. Unfortunately when a player has had a dip like that, we have been unable to take them out and put another player in because we do not really have any more.

“You have someone there though who is a full international and has played 50-odd games in the Championship at his age.

“But what he was doing in that position for the goal I don't know,” Mackay joked.