Watford legend Heidar Helguson and fellow new signing Craig Cathcart will not just walk straight into the side but Malky Mackay claims their additions to the squad were essential.

Helguson was a fans’ favourite during his initial five-and-a-half year spell at Vicarage Road, when he scored 64 goals for the club, and the Iceland international is now back in the yellow of Watford after joining on loan from Queens Park Rangers until the end of December.

The 32-year-old re-joined the Hornets on Tuesday in a deal which the Watford Observer understands will see Rangers pay almost half the striker’s wages during his temporary return and didn’t involve a loan fee.

The previous day Watford beat a host of clubs to the loan signing of highly-rated Manchester United defender Cathcart until January and Mackay insists the pair’s arrival was crucial.

The Hornets boss said: “Nobody walks into the side. You are here on merit, you play on merit and you get into the team on merit, in terms of the way you train, apply yourself, play and your attitude.

“But what we need here is a squad of players that are going to give everything and at the moment if we have one or two suspensions or injuries we really are down to bare bones.

“So right now I need as many experienced Championship players on the pitch as possible to add to the young guys that are coming through and the talent that I have already got at the club.

“So players coming into the club are coming to add to the group and I see both these players doing that.”

The majority of fans have welcomed the return of Helguson, who is the club’s joint 13th highest goalscorer and would make his 200th Watford appearance if he features tomorrow (Saturday).

Mackay did not play alongside Helguson, as the Scot arrived a couple of months after the striker moved to Fulham in the summer of 2005, but he is a big fan of the former Bolton Wanderers man.

Mackay said: “Heidar Helguson is a player I admire in terms of playing against him and watching him in the last couple of years and is someone who brings experience into the group.

“He also brings an aerial presence and a goalscoring threat.”

Watford pulled off a major coup with the capture of 20-year-old Cathcart, who was Plymouth Argyle’s young player of the year last season during his 32-game loan spell at Home Park.

Cathcart was on the verge of signing for Newcastle United before the transfer window closed a couple of weeks ago but after that fell through, Watford swooped to secure the signing of the centre-back, who received his first full Northern Ireland call up in the summer.

Mackay said: “Craig Cathcart was subject to a rather large bid last week that didn’t go through and we have been monitoring him for months.

“I remember him last year playing 30-odd games for Plymouth, he is a young player, a Manchester United talent, who has played at international level for his country, Northern Ireland, and has Championship experience.

“He is a central defender who is comfortable playing in the Championship and is what we needed in the club.

“We lost Mike Williamson and Craig gave Sir Alex a phone call and discussed it with him and Sir Alex felt it was right for Craig to come here and then Craig decided himself that it was right to come here.

“So we are delighted to get him on board and if he settles in half as well as Tom Cleverley and Henri Lansbury then I will be delighted with that.”