Malky Mackay has an almost fully-fit squad going into tonight’s televised match with a Queens Park Rangers side he expects to be in the Premier League next season.

Striker Troy Deeney had been suffering with tonsillitis in recent weeks, Marvin Sordell came off on Saturday with a shoulder injury and former QPR trainee Michael Bryan missed the victory over Leicester City with an ankle problem.

But all three are back in contention and the only player missing will be first-year professional Piero Mingoia.

Mackay said: “Piero is the only one out as he has got a thigh strain but apart from that we’ve got a fully-fit squad. Troy Deeney and Marvin Sordell are both OK.

“Marvin got a nasty whack and it was more of a bruise on the end of his collarbone. Thankfully, there wasn’t any cartilage damage and it’s just the way he fell when he was chasing the goalkeeper.”

There has been little to separate the two sides in recent seasons but this season QPR lead the Championship by four points with a game in hand on second-placed Cardiff City.

Rangers manager Neil Warnock has praised Watford’s boss this week, stating he is “a big fan of Malky Mackay” and “likes what he does and the way he goes about his job”.

The feeling is mutual and Mackay believes Warnock has now added the steel QPR needed to challenge for the title.

Mackay said: “I think what they’ve got is a good, very experienced manager. It is well documented that the club are in a good financial position and have a manager who has given them direction. He’s brought in clever buys, experienced players and he’s got a decent sized squad.

“So if you add all that together, and the possibility of adding another couple of quality players in January with a team sitting first in the league, then I think they’re certainly a team I would tip to go up this season.”

Tonight’s match will be aired live on BBC 2 and Mackay is hoping Watford will continue their impressive record when on TV in recent seasons.

Mackay said: “I think what it does is provide a bit more focus on the game. There is always a good crowd and it brings that bit of extra atmosphere which the players should love being involved in.

“There is also a bit of extra media coverage and overall it’s great for the youngsters to be involved in these games. It’s great for them to get these experiences and we had it on the first night of the season. The fact we were up at Norwich in front of 25,000 supporters and live on television, it’s something you desperately love to be involved in.

“I don’t think it’s any different here, you’re playing the number one team in the division and it’s live on television. You’re playing against a good team with a real experienced manager and I can’t wait to get in there and play and be involved in the game and I’m sure the players are the same.”

QPR possess one of the strongest attacking squads in the division with the likes of Adel Taarabt, Jamie Mackie, Rob Hulse, Hogan Ephraim, Martin Rowlands, Alejandro Faurlin and Lee Cook all fighting for places in the starting XI.

Two former Watford fans’ favourites – Tommy Smith and Heidar Helguson – are also expected to be named in the 18-man squad tonight.

Smith left Watford in August last year but suffered a difficult spell following his £1.8m move to cash-strapped Portsmouth and is currently waiting for his permanent switch to QPR to be completed in January.

Mackay said: “It was a strange situation with Portsmouth and I don’t think anyone could have foreseen what would happen with that football club. He’s down at QPR and they were trying to make it a permanent deal and because of time constraints it became a loan deal until Christmas which meant he had to miss a game or so because of the way the deal was set.

“When he went in there it was a team that was winning, so he had to bide his time, but now he’s in the team he’s doing what he does best which is set up goals and cause problems for the opposition.”

Helguson returned to Watford last season and spent the majority of the campaign on loan at Vicarage Road.

Mackay added: “Heidar was a great addition to the group last year. It was good for him and also good for us. He’s someone I respect a lot and I’ve known him for a long time. He came here with a great attitude last year, when he wanted to be here and get his appetite back because he wasn’t involved with his other club.

“He’s someone that Neil Warnock has seen can be a real threat in this league so he’s been heavily involved. It will be good to see him again, he’s a good man.”