Saints manager Nigel Adkins has told Alan Pardew ahead of his return to St Mary’s that he doesn’t owe him “any debt of gratitude at all”.

Pardew, who is now in charge of Newcastle, will return to the club on Sunday for the first time since he was sacked in August 2010.

Adkins succeeded the 51-year-old at St Mary’s and won promotion from League One using a team largely built by his predecessor.

Since then, though, the incumbent manager has taken the club to new heights, leading them to the Premier League, and evolving the squad into his own.

Some of Pardew’s acquisitions still remain key components of Adkins’ side, however, notably top scorer Rickie Lambert and also centre half Jose Fonte.

But the Saints manager insists he has no reason to thank Pardew for anything.

“I don’t think I owe him any debt of gratitude at all,” said Adkins. “Whatever situation arose, he moved on. I am the manager of Southampton Football Club.

“We’ve just had back-to-back promotions, we’re doing ever so well in our forward progression.”

Adkins says that Pardew will be treated the same as any other visiting manager when he arrives back at the stadium, and that he will be invited to share a drink after the match.

“We always welcome the opposition manager, whoever it is, to St Mary’s,” said Adkins, who has no new injury concerns ahead of tomorrow’s contest.

“When the whistle blows, then it is go to win a game of football.

“Afterwards we always invite them in for a drink. We’ve done that consistently. It doesn’t matter who the manager is, that is what we’ve always done and what we will continue to do.”

For a full preview of Saints v Newcastle, see Saturday's Southern Daily Echo.