Saints manager Jan Poortvliet has suffered a huge New Year blow - after Jack Cork joined Watford on loan.

Cork has made a big impression in a struggling Saints side this season and his decision to rejoin new Watford manager Brendan Rodgers, his former reserve team coach at Chelsea, is a big setback to Jan Poortvliet, who was told the news two days ago.

Versatile Cork had been linked with a transfer-window move to Pompey but his loan to Watford is even worse news for Saints as the 19-year-old will now be playing for one of the club's relegation rivals.

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."

Cork is on loan to Watford until the end of the season and will not have long to face his former teammates - Saints visit Vicarage Road on February 7.

But Poortvliet is trying to remain positive. He added: "We're busy looking at people to bring in and preparing for Manchester United without Jack - this gives opportunities to other players."

Other Watford loanees include Saints striker Grzegorz Rasiak, Arsenal's Gavin Hoyte and Chelsea's Liam Bridcutt.