Young Watford striker Bernard Mensah has joined Conference side Braintree Town on loan until February 16.

Mensah is a first-year professional who made his first team debut as a second-half substitute against Bolton Wanderers in November.

The 19-year-old can play as a striker or as a wide forward and scored 15 goals in 17 appearances for the Under-18s last season.

And he will be hoping he can follow in the footsteps of his good friend Britt Assombalonga, who scored five goals in five games during a month-long stay at Braintree in early 2012.

Mensah first signed a three-year professional deal with Watford in July 2011 at the start of his scholarship, with Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur reportedly interested.

He then signed a second pro contract, which will expire in 2016, a year ago this month.