Malky Mackay says his players want to “put it right” against Preston North End following the disappointing defeat to West Bromwich Albion but the Hornets will be without Ross Jenkins after the midfielder underwent a back operation this week.

The Watford boss said it is unclear how long it would take for Jenkins to recover but the midfielder will certainly be out for the next month.

Jay DeMerit is back jogging following eye surgery and Richard Lee has been doing some light handling work as he recovers from a knee injury.

But apart from those three players, the manager has a full squad to choose from and he stated the players were “raring to go”.

Mackay said: “This group are nothing but hard workers and they have been good in training.

“They were disappointed on Saturday and they want to put it right.

“They have worked hard all week and they will be up for it and raring to go.”

Although Preston have only won once in their last six matches, they are unbeaten in three and have won two of their last three away from home.

But the Hornets fans will be boosted by the news that Heidar Helguson has been training all week and has suffered no ill-effects from his 40 minutes against the Baggies.

The striker is part of the Iceland squad for the games against Iran on Tuesday and Luxembourg the following Saturday and Mackay believes his call up will benefit, rather than hinder, Watford.

Mackay said: “Heidar needs to play and he needs match fitness. Both of Iceland’s games are in the first week, which gives him a full week back here to recover.

“So this is a good chance for him to get some match action in.”

Tuesday marked a year since Mackay effectively first became a manager, even if it was somewhat brief.

The Scot took the reigns for five matches following the departure of Aidy Boothroyd and helped steady the ship before the arrival of Brendan Rodgers.

Many feel the former Hornets centre back deserved to land the job permanently at the time but Mackay believes that short spell in charge helped him immensely.

He said: “I think the month in charge has really benefited me because it gave me an insight into what it would be like to be permanent boss and helped me to see what things I liked and didn’t like.

“There was an awful lot that needed to be done in those weeks concerning players, staff and situations in games.

“It was a real learning curve in those three weeks and it stood me in good stead for the summer.”

Mackay joined the club as a player in 2005 and became player-coach in January 2007 and the 37-year-old claims he has been thinking about how he would “put his stamp” on the club for some time.

Mackay said: “In the last few years you starting thinking about how you would like this run or organised, how you would take training and the way things work.

“You are always thinking about it so now I have the chance to put that into practice and start bringing in guys that will add to the staff and benefit the club and benefit the players.”