Watford midfielder Connor Smith has joined League One Gillingham on loan until the end of the season.

Smith played 45 minutes in Watford's FA Cup tie with Bristol City on Saturday in the unfamiliar role of right wing back, due to several injuries, but the club have been keen to loan out the midfielder for the last couple of months.

The 20-year-old, whose contract expires in 2016 with the club having the option of another year, is a versatile player who started his Watford career as an attacking or wide midfielder and forward but this season has been used by former boss Gianfranco Zola in a holding midfield role.

Smith has made three starts and two substitute outings for the Golden Boys this season. The Republic of Ireland Under-21 international, who came runner-up in Sky's Football's Next Star, has made five starts and seven substitute appearances for the Hornets in total and enjoyed a successful loan spell at non-league Wealdstone during the 2011/12 campaign, where he made 32 appearances.

Gillingham, who won the League Two title last season, are managed by Peter Taylor and are 14th in League One.