Alan McCormack believes Alex Pritchard's return to Tottenham helped lay the platform for Alan Judge to produce the season he is having.

The Irishman is delighted to see his fellow countryman called up for Ireland, and a debut in the coming week is likely, and the midfielder would dearly love him to make the Euro 2016 squad.

And McCormack believes that Judge has improved every facet of his game since joining Brentford in January 2014.

He said: “I think he's got better at everything. He played out on the left and was very effective. Him and Pritch were similar players.

Strike: Alan McCormack shoots as Alan Judge watches on

“With Pritch gone, I think Judgey knew he had to get even better. He's handled it extremely well.

“He's been our best player by far this year. His work rate is through the roof. He's working on everything. Hopefully he gets his rewards with Ireland.”

McCormack, though, insisted that Judge has only been able to hit the heights he has this season because of the support of his team-mates.

He added: “Judgey has been exceptional at the game and he's driven other players on but other players have given Judgey the chance.

“It doesn't happen by Judgey doing it on his own. We're lucky enough to have Judgey to see that. We continue to help him out and he helps us out. We'll continue to do it.”