Scott Loach's career will suffer if he leaves Watford in January to join one of his many Premier League admirers according to Hornets boss Malky Mackay.

Everton and Arsenal are the latest clubs to be linked with the England Under-21 number one and with Watford's financial situation in the public eye for the past week, the speculation over his future has increased.

Loach is arguably the club's most valuable playing asset and with all the interest in the former Lincoln City keeper, Mackay is bracing himself for offers in January.

But the manager said: "I don't think Scott should leave at the moment because I think Scott's career will progress with playing another 60 to 100 games in the Championship. I am not sure if he is going to get to that point but he certainly needs to learn his trade as he hasn't even done a full year in the Championship.

"If he is going to go and sit on a bench somewhere then his career is going to progress a lot slower than if you are actually out playing every week.

"The benefit of that was evident when Ben Foster came here and played for a couple of years so I think Scott, as far as he is concerned, wants to play football.

"Sometimes it is not always within your control depending on how much money a club bids but I think for the benefit of Scott and the obvious benefit to this football team, Scott staying here for the near future is something that will help and benefit him and the club."

Mackay played with current England internationals Rob Green and Foster at Norwich City and Watford respectively and on Saturday witnessed two of the country's brightest prospects as the Hornets lost 2-1 to Peterborough United.

Loach replaced Joe Lewis as England Under-21 keeper and the Peterborough keeper has already been part of a full squad.

Mackay was at Norwich when Lewis, 22, was coming through their Academy and he said: "I have worked with two of the current England goalkeepers and these two have the potential to be that as well.

"I don't know as much about Joe but as far as Scott Loach is concerned, I look at the hunger and the way he trains every day with Alec [Chamberlain] and I see a career path ahead of him if he wants to take it."

Should Loach leave the Hornets next month, the club have Richard Lee, who has made more than 100 senior appearances, and Wales Under-21 international Jonathan North already on their books.

When asked whether Watford would need to sign a replacement should Loach be sold, Mackay replied: "It is something I would discuss with my staff if it happens. I would discuss it with Alec Chamberlain and the people that matter at the club but until such times as that happens, we have capable goalkeepers here and they are all a team underneath Alec Chamberlain.

"So at the moment I am planning for Scott Loach to be here and Richard Lee pushing him every day in training."