Scotland international Don Cowie believes Watford can still reach the play-offs and praised the performances of Watford's two young full backs against Reading.

The Hornets have slipped down the table to 11th after no win in six league games.

But Malky Mackay's men have a game in hand on most the teams above them and are only eight points off the play-off places with 45 points still up for grabs.

So Cowie believes the top six is still a realistic possibility come May and pointed to the last two games as examples of how the situation can change quickly.

Cowie said: “We are still really close to the play-offs. On Tuesday night, we could have turned that around and got three points but didn't quite manage it. And we had enough chances in the first 20, 25 minutes against Reading and we just needed to be that wee bit more clinical.

“If we can put together a little bit of a run again like we did in December and January then we will be right back in there.”

Cowie is one of the Hornets' most experienced players, despite only joining Watford and English football only two years ago, and the former Inverness CT midfielder was quick to praise two of the Hornets' youngsters on Saturday.

Cowie highlighted the performances of Lee Hodson and Adam Thompson following Saturday's 1-1 draw with Reading after the pair faced Jobi McAnuff and Jimmy Kebe, who Cowie describes as two of the best wingers in the Championship.

He said: “They were probably playing against two of the best wide players in the league, out-and-out wingers who have an abundance of pace and their first thought is to get down the wing.

“The way Adam and Lee played today was a credit to themselves, they were outstanding. They will gain valuable experience from it and it is only good for Watford.”

Cowie marked his 28th birthday last Tuesday by returning to the Watford side against Preston North End after more than three weeks out with a thigh injury.

The midfielder admitted he found it hard on the heavy Vicarage Road pitch but recovered in time to make his 300th career start at Reading.

Cowie said: “It has been hard as I have been out for four weeks. I played Tuesday and the pitch was very heavy and it was hard trying to recover and get ready for the Reading game.

“In the last five, ten minutes I began to toil a wee bit but I just have to recover in time for Tuesday [Bristol City]. The games are coming thick and fast but that is part and parcel of playing in the Championship.”

On his 300th career start, Cowie said: “I wasn't aware of that so I am quite happy as I only turned 28 on Tuesday night so it is good going. Hopefully I have got another 100 or 200 left in me.”