As Rovers have moved out of top six contention, in-form Watford have closed the gap on the automatic promotion places.

Three successive victories for Xisco Munoz’s men leave them well placed to make an immediate return to the Premier League, and Tony Mowbray feels they possess one of the Championship’s best squads.

The Hornet’s success has been built on impressive form at Vicarage Road where they have chalked up 12 wins in 16 matches.

Things have been more difficult on the road, with just eight goals and only four wins, but Mowbray believes they have all the tools to succeed.

Yet he believes his side have what it takes to beat any side in the division on their day.

“Potentially Watford have got the best squad in the league in my opinion,” he explained.

“You look at their midfield of Hughes, Cleverley and Chalobah, a very experienced midfield, all played in the Premier League for a lot of games.

“Allied to the speed and individuality of their front players and they’re pretty potent as a football team.

“They’re in a good run of form, they stuck six past Bristol City, went to Preston and beat them and it’s a test for us, a challenge, but I’ve said to them repeatedly we can beat anyone on our day.

“We have to have a good day and they will have to have a slightly off day and I think we can come away with the points.”

Watford’s lack of goals on the road contrasts to their home form where they have scored 32 times, the most in the division, including six against Bristol City earlier this month.

“I think they’ve only scored eight goals away from home this season and I think they’re managing games,” Mowbray added.

“When you have the quality of the players they have they don’t have to do more than they need to do.

“If they can control the game, and the games I’ve watched, they control the game generally from start to finish.

“We’re looking forward to the challenge of it, asking some questions of them, and see if we can get back to winning ways.”