Piero Mingoia is determined to “repay Watford’s trust’ after the first-year professional was handed a two-year contract extension, which will last until the summer of 2013.

Mingoia burst on to the first team scene in January when he scored a memorable equaliser against Hartlepool United in the FA Cup Third Round. And despite the 19-year-old only making two starts this season, Mingoia has been a regular name on manager Malky Mackay's substitutes bench.

Following the announcement of the new deal, the young midfielder told the club’s website: "I really am delighted with this. It shows the club have a lot of belief in me, and I want to repay that trust as best I can.

"I've been in and around the matchday squad a lot this season, without playing too often", he added.

And following ex-Watford loanee Henri Lansbury's admission this week that Hornets skipper John Eustace has been 'a massive influence' on his playing style, the versatile Mingoia acknowledges that even without playing he is constantly learning from the senior players.

The Academy graduate explained: "Where I feel I've really come on is by training with the senior professionals every day.

"The manager spoke to me after Hartlepool and said this year was all about me developing as a player. I feel like I have progressed - and I'm very happy to have signed for longer with Watford."