Southampton left-back Ryan Bertrand has credited Ashley Cole for helping him develop his game over the years.

Bertrand played alongside Cole during their time at Chelsea, and on the international stage, the 25-year-old took his ex-teammate's number three shirt while playing for England in last weekend's goalless draw with the Republic of Ireland.

"I learned a lot [from Cole] on the pitch and off the pitch," the Daily Mail quotes Bertrand as saying. "The way he went about his business was fantastic. We had a really good relationship on and off the field."

Cole now plies his trade in Italy for Serie A side Roma.