Young Hornets striker Bernard Mensah has joined Conference high-fliers Barnet on loan until January 5.

The 19-year-old striker has made just one substitute outing for the Hornets – against Bolton Wanderers last November, in one of Gianfranco Zola’s final games in charge of the Hornets.

Mensah spent the final few months of last season on loan at Conference side Braintree Town, scoring twice in seven outings before a knee ligament injury ended his stay with former Hornet Alan Devonshire’s side.

He had previously had surgery on the same knee two years earlier and made his return to action for Watford's Under-21s against Peterborough United in the Under-21 Premier League Cup in September.

The striker signed his first professional contract when he was 16 and penned another deal in January 2013, which will expire in the summer of 2016.

Mensah is eligible to play in the FA Cup and should feature in the Bees' first round proper tie with Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday.

Martin Allen's side currently sit nine points clear at the summit of the Conferece.