Barnet have signed Michael Gash until the end of the season, despite boss Martin Allen questioning his attitude and telling the former Kidderminster striker he will only be a substitute.

The 28-year-old, who scored against Barnet for Kidderminster Harriers in a 3-3 draw in October, was freed by the Worcestershire side six days ago after completing a loan spell with Conference rivals Nuneaton Town.

Gash scored 21 times in 54 league starts for the Aggborough side and netted once in 11 outings for Nuneaton before leaving Kiddy.

Speaking on Tuesday, Allen said of his latest capture: "He has got an attitude, there is no doubt about it, and I do not think it is always a good one.

"He has got four months with us, that is it. I explained to him I needed cover for my two centre-forwards (John Akinde and Charlie MacDonald) and the other one (Jon Nurse) is injured.

"I told him straight exactly what his position would be - it would be sub."

The Bees boss continued: "He had to understand and accept that and he has. He trained with us for two days because I wanted to make sure he could do the work that our players do.

"He had a very tough couple of days on Thursday and Friday and he was fine. The players liked him, the staff liked him, I like him and he was courageous in those training sessions.

"I have known about him for a few years and I have watched him for a few years. I went up to Kidderminster versus Welling to watch a game up there a few months ago."

An enthusiastic Gash told the club’s website: “To come to a fantastic club like Barnet who are fighting for promotion and fighting to win the league, I feel like I’ve taken a step up. They have a great manager and a great set of lads, so from now until the end of the season trying to win that title is a brilliant place to be.

“As a striker you want to score goals. During the last two seasons I have scored around 40 goals, so knowing that Barnet are the top scorers in the league and creating chances for their strikers - I’ll be looking to work my way into the team and score as well.”

Gash began his career with Cambridge City before making the step up to join Cambridge United in June 2006. A move to Ebbsfleet United followed two years later and the 5ft 8in striker scored 11 times in 39 league starts for the Kent side.

A £40,000 switch to York City in June 2009 saw a return of eight league goals from 33 starts before the most prolific spell of the hitman's career back at the Abbey Stadium.

Re-signed by Cambridge United in 2011, Gash notched 20 league goals in 59 starts for the U's - whilst also taking in a brief loan stay at Braintree Town.

Signed on loan by Kidderminster in March 2013, the move was made permanent in the summer, with Gash top-scoring for the Worcestershire outfit last term, netting 11 times in 35 starts.