Watford boss Malky Mackay has not given up hope of the Hornets launching a late play-off charge despite defeat against Hull on Saturday leaving them eight points off the pace.

Mackay is looking for his side to go on a winning run to the end of the season and believes that other teams will drop enough points for the Hertfordshire side to finish in the top six.

'What is going to happen between now and the end of the season is what has happened up to now – everybody is cutting each other's throat and I don't see that changing,' he said.

'Somebody needs to go on a little run. There are only six or seven left for teams but if you go on a run then you can be in the play-offs.'

Mackay can't wait for the visit of Norwich, who he served so well in helping the Canaries achieve their Premier League dream back in 2004, and wants his players to forget about the morale-sapping loss at home to Hull City on Saturday.

The Hornets missed a catalogue of chances and were made to pay by Nigel Pearson's side.

'I am delighted we have a game on Tuesday night and it will be a real good test for us. I am delighted we have that game because I am proud of the way they played and I am proud of the way they stepped on and tried to win the game.

'I have a group in there who are really disappointed with the result but I asked them to believe in their ability and go and show it. I believe they did that in all but scoring the goals.'

Mackay believes it is only a matter of time before on-loan Aston Villa striker Andreas Weimann hits form after drawing a blank against the Tigers at the weekend. The Austrian Under-21 international has settled right into life at Vicarage Road and Mackay is looking for him to improve upon his record of two goals in 14 appearances for the Championship outfit.

Mackay said: 'He is a really talented youngster. 'At the moment he is trying too hard to score because I see him in training and he is certainly clinical. There is a reason he is at Aston Villa and a reason he is an Austrian Under-21 international and I think he is going to be a top player.'