Trialist Aiden Palmer will spend at least another week at Watford as he attempts to earn a contract with the Hornets.

Palmer, who was sentenced to 22 months in jail for violent disorder in 2009, has been training with Watford and played in the Reserves’ 1-1 draw with Southend United last night.

The 24-year-old left back is currently at Conference South side Bishops Stortford but Watford manager Malky Mackay has confirmed Palmer will continue to train with the Hornets.

Mackay said: “Aiden is someone that has been recommended to us and has come in and trained with us. We have been allowed to use him in a couple of Reserve games and hopefully we will continue to do that in the last couple of Reserve games as well, with a view to looking at him for a little period before the summer.

“He has been training with us and played some Reserve games, which is ideal because he is able to come and train with us in the mornings and then with his club.

“We are thankful to them, obviously, for letting that happen and obviously it is a chance for him to try to grab this opportunity.”

Palmer started his career at Leyton Orient and made 56 appearances for the club before he was released at the end of the 2009 season.

Following his release from prison, the left back joined Bishops Stortford and then soon after Cambridge United, who were managed by his old-Orient boss Martin Ling.

Palmer was released the following summer and re-joined Bishops Stortford.