Glenn McGrath has 563 Test wickets, Liam Plunkett 22

Plunkett, 22, who has taken 22 wickets in eight Tests, has struggled for consistency against the West Indies.

Donald told the BBC: "I'll go so far as to say Plunkett reminds me of a young McGrath, but a little bit quicker.

"It's just a question of him maturing. People expect instant solutions but it's not going to happen like that."

Donald, employed by the England and Wales Cricket Board for five weeks, is thought to be interested in a long-term role as bowling coach.

He is working in tandem with current bowling coach Kevin Shine, who according to reports is set to take on a reduced role at the academy.

Donald, a former top-class South Africa Test paceman, insisted England fans could expect Plunkett to be a force in years to come.

You shouldn't really have technical problems at this level. It's very much in the mind and the guys need to be told how good they are Allan Donald

"There's a process he has to go through," Donald told BBC cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew.

"It's a growing process and there's no better way to learn it than at the highest level.

"It's a very difficult thing when you have a 22-year-old learning his trade at the highest level but sometimes it's not a bad thing actually to grow here [in the Test arena].

"You know what the step up is like from first-class level to Test level."

Donald, who in a previous interview said he expected Steve Harmison to regain his best form for England, said he was going to keep things basic.

"I'm not just going to throw a plethora of information at everyone," he said.

"You shouldn't really have technical problems at this level. It's very much in the mind and the guys need to be told how good they are.