Connor Smith is hoping to see plenty of action after joining the Gills on loan from Watford.

The highly-rated 20-year-old midfielder has moved to Priestfield on a deal that runs until the end of the season.

He has played eight times for the Hornets and is hoping a spell at Gillingham will further develop his fledgling career.

“I am really happy with the move and I have been trying to get out on loan for a while now,” said the Republic of Ireland under-21 player.

“I have been talking to Watford for around a month and asking to go out on loan to get some game time and Gillingham came up. It took just a few days to get sorted and I am really happy to be here.

“I played a few games last year and some this year but never consistently in the team.

“I had a talk with Watford and we both agreed that at my age I need to get out and play regular football and hopefully I can do that here.”

Smith made his debut on Saturday, coming on for the final 25 minutes.

Gills boss Peter Taylor said: “At that time I thought we needed someone else in there because they (Colchester) were playing through us too easily.

“We needed another midfield player in there that could protect us and stop the flow or (central defenders) Adam Barrett and Leon Legge were going to have a busy afternoon.”