WITH several of his squad away on international duty with their countries over the next few weeks, Malky Mackay revealed what he felt about having the break so soon after a fantastic home win over Preston on Saturday.

"It's two-fold at times" said the Watford boss.

"I think when you win, you always want another game straight away but you also want to patch up the team.

"It gives us another two weeks to get the guys who aren't away, treated and fully fit and it gives them a chance to get a break away from it all, because we go into fixtures heavy again after the break."

The former Scottish international is not only extremely proud of his fellow countryman Don Cowie in his second international call-up, but also of his young Hornets who will be away with their countries.

"We have young players who are getting recognition from their countries and as far as the Club is concerned, the more international footballers we have the better.

"I think it's testament to the Academy and to the recruitment department of the Club, the young players we have coming through the ranks here like Scott Loach and Lee Hodson and those who we have on loan like Tom Cleverley, Henri Lansbury, Heidar Helguson and Craig Cathcart.

Cleverley, Loach and Lansbury are in action for Stuart Pearce's England Under-21 side in their European qualifier at Wembley on Saturday (14 November).

The boss emphasised how much of an important experience playing on the hallowed turf will be for his youngsters.

"I think it's absolutely fantastic for Tom and Scott to have the opportunity to play at a stadium like that.

"I think it can only help them in their growth as players, to go and play at stadiums like that in front of big crowds in high pressured games."