Watford manager Malky Mackay believes his “ultimate team player” Don Cowie deserves a recall to the Scotland squad.

Mackay described Cowie’s display in the 2-0 victory at Bristol City as “unbelievable” and claimed he certainly “had his Duracell batteries in”.

Cowie has been an integral part of the Watford side since joining the club from Inverness Caledonian Thistle for around £50,000 in February 2009.

The 27-year-old’s early form for the Hornets earned him a call-up to the Scotland squad in November 2009, but last season he was often overshadowed by the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal loanees Tom Cleverley and Henri Lansbury.

“Sometimes I don’t think he gets the plaudits he deserves,” Mackay said, “because if you talk about team players then he is the ideal team player for our football club.

“Every week he covers the pitch very unselfishly without any credit attached but it opens spaces up for others. He is by far the player in training who looks the fittest and looks as though he is a step ahead.

“I think he has shown it in other games – the amount of work he goes through in games for us is incredible and he is the ultimate team player for our team.

“The players respect him so much in the dressing room because of the amount of work he puts in for them. I am delighted people are actually asking me about him.”

Cowie, who started his career at Ross County, was included in the Scotland squads between October and November last year but has been overlooked recently by new manager Craig Levein.

Former Celtic defender Mackay said: “He is a joy to watch in training and is an excellent professional footballer, so I think he merits being back in that Scotland squad.”