Young Hornets midfielder Connor Smith has joined League Two side Stevenage on a one-month loan.

The 22-year-old, who made his first appearance of the season in last Tuesday's 1-0 League Cup defeat at Preston North End, will link up with Teddy Sheringham's side for an initial month.

The Irishman told Boro's website he had been hoping to move away from Vicarage Road on a temporary basis.

He said: “I was hoping to get out on loan at some point before the season started, obviously now we are a couple of weeks away but just delighted to be here and hopefully get some game time.

“I have had a few years in-and-around the first team at Watford, played a few games here and there and spent some time at Gillingham but I haven’t had enough game time really.

“Playing for the Under-21s is good but it is not competitive league games, which is what I am after.”

He continued: “Towards the end of last year I travelled with a lot of squads which was good as we were really pushing on for promotion.

“It was great to be so close to such a good squad with so many great players, all vying for the same goal.

“Getting a first-hand look at the pressure that was on the team and how they dealt with it was really good to be around. The atmosphere in the dressing room was amazing and that experience has really helped me grow.”

Smith did not make a single first-team appearance for Watford last season but was an unused substitute on four occasions in league and cup.

The Republic of Ireland Under-21 cap spent time on loan at Gillingham during the back end of the 2013/14 campaign and has previously starred with local non-league side Wealdstone.

In total Smith had made 13 first-team appearances for the Golden Boys, including eight in the Championship.

He had been involved in pre-season under Quique Sanchez Flores but an injury cut short his involvement whilst in Germany for a pre-season training camp.