Watford's three in-form strikers – Troy Deeney, Odion Ighalo and Matej Vydra – have been backed to follow in the footsteps of Charlie Austin and Danny Ings by making the step-up and impressing in the Premier League.

The 17 goals scored by Queens Park Rangers striker Austin has made him the second highest-scoring Englishman in the Premier League this season despite the R’s fighting for relegation following their return to the top flight, whilst the performances of Burnley’s Ings, who has scored nine during the campaign, has seen him linked with a move to Liverpool.

On-loan Hornets defender Matthew Connolly knows what it takes to get out of the Championship – having won the title in three consecutive years between 2011 and 2013 with QPR, Reading and Cardiff City – and he has been hugely impressed by Watford’s “incredible” strike force since his arrival from the Bluebirds a month ago.

Both Connolly and midfielder Daniel Tozser have backed the trio to rise to the challenge should the Golden Boys secure promotion and have no doubts they would make their mark in the top flight.

Speaking after the Millwall game, Connolly said: “I think they (Deeney and Vydra) can play in the Premier League and score goals. I don’t know what happened for Matej at West Brom [last season] but I know he can score goals in that division.

“When you look at the people that have gone up [from the Championship] like (England and Liverpool striker) Rickie Lambert, Danny Ings, Charlie Austin; Troy and Matej are no different.”

Ighalo’s form has been the best of the lot in 2015, with 16 goals in 15 Championship matches, and when asked if the Nigeria international could also make the leap, Connolly added: “Yes. I think Ighalo has a lot in his game. He is very strong, he is good in the box and can strike them from distance.

“As well as those three, there are a lot of Premier League players in this squad. I see that in training every day and I was surprised at the standard of how good everyone was.

“Obviously I had played against them earlier this season for Cardiff and knew they were good players but being up close and personal, I have seen there are some fantastic players in this team.”

Connolly also stressed the strikers’ hard work often goes unnoticed and enables Slavisa Jokanovic to play with a high defensive line.

The forwards’ efforts are appreciated by the whole of the Golden Boys’ squad and Tozser echoed Connolly’s sentiment.

He said: “I have no doubts about that (the trio scoring goals in the Premier League). I think they are a really strong part of the team. They are fantastic strikers who can score from nothing, not even a real chance.

“All three of them are Premier League players and a big part of the team. Individually we have a lot of players that can reach the Premier League.

“And for people like Ben Watson, who has Premier League experience, to think this is one of the best squads he has worked in says a lot.

“For me, I am nearly 30 and I can tell this is a quality group. That is without question.”

If the fantastic front-line do fire the Hornets to promotion, it would be Tozser’s first experience of Premier League football but for Connolly it would be a remarkable four promotions in five seasons.

However, Connolly only made six Premier League outings for QPR in 2011 before he was loaned out to Reading.

He was then a crucial part of the Cardiff team which secured promotion but only made three league outings in the Premier League before being dropped.

The defender from Hatfield’s switch back ‘home’ to Hertfordshire was an unusual move as Cardiff’s owner Vincent Tan allowed him to leave on loan despite manager Russell Slade being desperate to keep the former Arsenal man.

Connolly acknowledged it was ‘a business decision’ as Tan looked to cut the wage bill once their Championship survival was all-but secure, having initially rejected Watford’s offer in January. It was a similar situation when Cardiff’s Kenwyne Jones joined fellow promotion chasers Bournemouth.

Slade has told Connolly he wants him back in the summer, having proved his worth during 26 appearances for the club this season, and the defender has two years left on his contract.

The 27-year-old accepts he will have to see what happens in the summer but would relish a return to the top flight.

Connolly said: “I haven’t played that many times in the Premier League. I had a great time there with Cardiff [at the start]; we beat Manchester City when I played and drew at home with Everton but it wasn’t to be after that as I was not in the side. So that is my motivation really; to go up with Watford and if I am still here [next season] then try to play games.”

The ex-Bournemouth and Colchester United loanee, who lives in Bushey and did so during his time at Cardiff, accepts he “definitely” still has a point to prove in the Premier League.

He said: “Every time I go on the pitch I want to prove a point, play the best I can and give everything for the shirt I am wearing, which is what I am doing here. I am here to show people that I can play and also to show the manager and if he wants me in the summer then we can look at that then. I want to prove to people what I can do and then see what happens.”

When asked if he was disappointed by the lack of opportunities during his different Premier League spells, he replied: “Yes definitely but I’m not going to sulk about it or blame other people. I need to work harder and prove a point. If I get that chance again then I will work as hard as I can and if it happens then it happens but if it doesn’t then I will have to keep working on my weaknesses.”