Cork was assistant to Adams at Brighton until two months ago when Sam Hammam lured him to Ninian Park.

He had also been his right-hand man at Fulham and for a brief spell with Swansea City.

This will be the first time they have confronted each other as managers.

“It will be strange seeing Corky in the opposition dug-out,” said Adams.

“Both clubs are in good form at the moment, both want to progress in this competition (known as the Auto Windscreens Shield last season).

“But quite honestly, this is a game we could have done without before Saturday’s FA Cup-tie at Scunthorpe.”

Cork is looking forward to crossing swords with his closest friend.

“Micky and I are good mates. He’ll be best man at my wedding,” said Cork.

“But I would love to put one over on him. It will be nice to go back and see the fans who are great.

“I was happy at Brighton. But when Cardiff came in for me I had to accept the challenge.”

Cork hasn’t decided yet whether Robert Earnshaw will be one of the players he will rest ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup-tie against Cheltenham at Ninian Park.

The teenage striker - hat-trick hero of Saturday’s 4-l win at Torquay - is arguably City’s hottest property ever, Sunderland, Celtic and Middlesbrough among those showing interest.

But owner Hammam insists he has no intention of selling.

“Cardiff is a big club in a small league. The thought of selling one of our top players is ridiculous,” he said.

“Not even Manchester United, Arsenal or Liverpool have any chance of buying our players until we are in the Premiership. And we would then be talking £30m for a player like Earnshaw.”

Ian Butterworth, Cork’s assistant, who supervised training yesterday, said fit-again full-back Andy Thompson and midfielder Danny Hill had been added to the squad on duty at Plainmoor.

“We are thinking of resting a number of players. The lads who come in will hopefully be chomping at the bit,” he said.

“But it will still be a strong side and players have been told to forget about Saturday’s FA Cup-tie.

“We want to do well in this competition, too. Corky going back to face his former club will give the game extra spice

“And Brighton and Cardiff have players who used to play for the other club.”

Merthyr-born Mark Walton was Brighton’s first-choice ’keeper before he switched allegiance in the summer.

Midfielder Richard Carpenter, who moved in the opposite direction, has become Brighton’s dead ball special-ist, scoring four goals in his last nine games.

He has linked up with Charlie Oatway, another former Bluebird.

Beaten once in 18 games, the Seagulls gained their fifth straight win on Saturday - 2-1 against Halifax - to stay within three points of Third Division leaders Chesterfield.