Watford’s academy manager believes the qualities of Hayden Mullins and Graham Stack “are exactly what the lads might need right now” as they prepare to take charge of the Hornets at high-flying Leicester City tomorrow night.

Former midfielder Mullins has been put in interim charge of the Hornets after Quique Sanchez Flores was sacked following Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Southampton. Together with fellow Under-23 coach Stack, the pair will be hoping to be hoping to lift the Hornets’ fortunes at Brendan Rodgers’ second-placed side.

“It's brilliant,” academy manager Richard Thomas told the club website. “They are exactly what the lads might need right now. Stacky is 100 miles an hour and will put smiles on people's faces and Hayden is calm. That balance will be good for the players. They can take the pressure off the players and do the little things that can help in this sort of situation.”

Adding that “it will be a terrific experience for him”, head of academy Barry Quin said: “Hayden will have the respect of the players as he is a good club man, played at the top level and is an excellent coach. Stacky is exactly the sort of person you want around the place and is a damn good coach.”