JOBI McANUFF is in line for a recall as Watford look to cement their position at the top of the Championship table at Scunthorpe United tomorrow (Saturday).

The former Crystal Palace winger impressed as a late substitute against Sheffield Wednesday in mid-week and he is a probable starter ahead of Adam Johnson on the left wing.

The £1.75m summer signing has been among the substitutes for the last four games but his ability to tuck inside and track back defensively should see him start ahead of Johnson in what is unlikely to be a game for the faint hearted at Glanford Park.

"I thought Jobi's attitude was terrific and his performance against Sheffield Wednesday said to me, What are you leaving me out for, I should be in the team,' explained Aidy Boothroyd. "He didn't sulk and he came on and did very well."

Asked to assess the qualities of McAnuff and Johnson, Boothroyd replied: "They are both very different.

"Adam is left-footed and can go on the outside more naturally than Jobi does. But then Jobi has this ability to go inside and shoot with his right foot. He is also older and a bit more experienced. Adam has come here to get that experience and he is a wonderful talent. The only reason he is not in the Middlesbrough team is because of Stewart Downing. He can go as far as he wants to."

Johnson has scored two goals and had a hand in three others since his arrival from Middlesbrough but Boothroyd feels McAnuff provides better insurance in front of the out-of-sorts Jordan Stewart and that could be the deciding factor in his team selection.

"The defending part was something I was going to develop by coming here," said Johnson. "The manager also likes the attacking side of it, which is good for me as being a winger that's what I like most. I've got no problems with tracking back doing the work for the team. The manager is really getting the best out of me at the minute."

The on-loan winger felt he was not at his best against Blackpool on Saturday and, unlike the crowd, was not surprised to be substituted.

"I wasn't having the best of games," admitted the 20-year-old. "The manager makes the decisions and you've got to respect these things. It's nice to hear the fans saying they want you to stay on the pitch, it gives you a nice boost of confidence. But apart from scoring the free-kick, I didn't think I had the best of games."

With Tommy Smith enjoying his best ever season in a Watford shirt, Johnson sparkling on the left and McAnuff able to play on both sides of the pitch, Boothroyd is spoilt for choice in an area of the field that provides the cornerstone of his philosophy.

"I like attacking football and I think it is important to get crosses in," he said. "It's important the wingers chip in with a few goals as well. We have looked at playing them on different sides to pose different questions to the opposition."