Promising Watford scholar Matt Bevans has suffered a huge blow in his search to earn a professional contract as he looks set to miss the rest of the season with a knee injury.

Bevans, who impressed during Watford’s FA Youth Cup campaign last season, is in the second year of his scholarship but severely damaged knee ligaments and the knee joint in the Hornets’ development squad’s behind-closed-doors friendly with Southampton last week.

The full back had a scan on Friday and confirmed he looks set to miss the rest of the season.

Bevans told followers of his Twitter page: “I can confirm I am out for the rest of the season but I will be working as hard as I can to come back fitter and stronger than ever before.”

He continued: “Thank you for all the messages and support, it goes along way. I'm devastated but I'm strong enough to keep my chin up. I’ll be back.”

Watford’s head of academy Nick Cox has praised Bevans’ character and is hoping he returns a stronger player because of the huge disappointment.

Cox told the Watford Observer: “It is a big disappointment for him because it is an important time for him in a year where he is trying to earn a contract. But he has a fantastic attitude and hopefully he will come back a better player because of it.”

Striker Bernard Mensah also suffered an ankle injury last week but he is expected to return in a few weeks time.