Martin Allen has warned deadline day signing Conor Clifford that he will have to earn his place in his title-chasing Barnet side.

The former Chelsea academy midfielder, who has also had spells with Plymouth, Notts County, Yeovil, Portsmouth, Crawley and Leicester, joined on a short-term loan deal from Southend on Monday.

The one-time Republic of Ireland U21 international will already be popular with the fans having snubbed title rivals Bristol Rovers in favour of a move to The Hive, but that won't earn him an automatic place.

Bees boss Allen said: “I've seen Conor play lots of times. He is a good passer of the ball who likes to get it down and play. We need an extra challenge in our midfield, but it will be hard for him to get into a side which won 4-0 in our last game.”

Extra challenge: Barnet boss Martin Allen

That emphatic win was over Southport two weeks ago, since when Barnet have been without a game following last Saturday's postponment at Halifax.

The Bees will be back in action at home to Woking on Saturday, and Clifford could make his debut against the play-off hopefuls from Surrey.

Allen, who would rather that Halifax game had gone ahead rather than his troops have an extra week's rest, admits his side owe Woking one.

He added: “We just want to play, bring it on. Woking have got some good players. They drew with us earlier in the season and we didn't manage to beat them last season either. They have been well on top against us, so it's up to us to put that right.”