Chelsea starlet Jack Cork has reunited with former boss Brendan Rodgers and team mate Liam Bridcutt after agreeing a loan move to Vicarage Road.

The 19-year-old has spent the first half of this campaign at Southampton and Saints boss Jan Poortvliet has spoken of his disappointment after losing one of his side’s star performers.

Cork, who can play in defence and midfield, will join Arsenal’s Gavin Hoyte at the Hornets till the end of the season.

The England Under-21 international is highly thought of and won an number of player of the year awards while on loan at Scunthorpe last season.

Cork, who is son of former Wimbledon player Alan, was linked with a permanent move to Portsmouth but Rodgers moved quickly to recruit yet more cover for a Hornets side with the worst defensive record in the Championship.

Southampton had hoped to re-sign Cork but after failing to do so, Poortvliet said: "I'm sorry for us because Jack is a great player and it's a big loss, but the choice was up to him.

"I would have loved to have him for the rest of the season but was told two days ago that that wouldn't be the case."