Southampton midfielder Jack Cork relishing FA Cup clash with old club Chelsea

Jack Cork: Thanks Chelsea stars for their guidance during his time at the club

Southampton midfielder Jack Cork has thanked Chelsea's old guard for their "invaluable" guidance ahead of his first match against his former club on Saturday.

The 23-year-old joined the west Londoners aged nine and went on to graduate from their academy system but failed to make a first-team appearance for a Blues side awash with star names.

Cork went on loan to six different clubs before eventually making a permanent move to Southampton in 2011, and Saturday's FA Cup tie marks his first game against his former side.

Admitting it is a special game for him, Cork said: "I am looking forward to playing against them.

"I never got the opportunity to play with them when I was there so hopefully we can go and put a good performance in. I am looking forward to seeing some old faces.

"The main person I still speak to there is Ryan Bertrand. He was sort of the same age as me and has had some good performances and been able to get a few little runs in the team.

"It will be good to see him and a few of the older players as well as they were quite good to me when I was at Chelsea."

Cork highlighted Frank Lampard, John Terry, Ashley Cole and former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba as those that had the biggest influence on him.

"Jose Mourinho was manager when I was there and Brendan Rodgers was doing some of the coaching," he said.

"To have them coaching there as well as the likes of John Terry, Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole to get advice off every now and again was great.

"They have players that you can look up to that are so good, won so much and are such great professionals. It was great having them around.

"I was only really involved in the pre-seasons, with one trip to Los Angeles and a couple of friendlies here and there.

"The main thing that stuck in my head was Didier Drogba pulling me aside and giving me advice on how to defend against him and other bigger players.

"Just having advice like that from people who have done so much in the game was great and invaluable."

Saints manager Nigel Adkins pledged to name a strong side against the FA Cup holders, who are reeling from a shock 1-0 home defeat against rivals QPR.

"I think they'll be out to prove a point," Cork said.

"Some people are convinced they played a weakened side against QPR, but whichever side they put out it's never going to be a weak team so hopefully we could take advantage if they're on the start of a bad run.

"We could look at it either way, but there's not much pressure on us really.

"A cup run would be great and it could help our league form, but the league is our main priority at the minute, and that will be our main focus."