Ian Hendon has wasted no time in strengthening the Barnet squad by bringing in the experienced 6ft striker Paul Furlong on loan to give everyone at Underhill a boost.

The 40-year-old has scored nearly 200 goals in a career that started at Enfield in the 1980s and has taken in Coventry, Watford, Chelsea, Birmingham City, QPR, Luton Town and now Southend United.

Furlong signed this morning and will make his debut for the club in tomorrow's game at Underhill against Grimsby Town, the team below the Bees in the League 2 table.

Furlong cost Chelsea £2.3m when they signed him from Watford and he enjoyed two years at Stamford Bridge - in all he commanded more than £4m in fees. He also played six times for the England C side in the early 1990s.

Ian Hendon said: "I am very grateful to Southend manager Steve Tilson for his friendly gesture in facilitating the move in my first hours in the job.

"I have seen a lot of Paul and he brings the experience and know-how to the side that I want".

Furlong's chances at Southend since signing last summer have been restricted by the goalscoring touch and form of former Barnet favourite Dougie Freedman and a couple of young forwards.

Hendon is also hoping that Furlong can improve O'Flynn's splendid start in Barnet colours with eight goals in 16 starts, many of those games on his own up front in a 4-5-1 formation.

Dennis Signy