SAINTS midfielder Oriol Romeu has described the chance to learn from Frank Lampard as “a gift” as he prepares to take on his former Chelsea teammate’s Derby County today.

The Spaniard’s time with Chelsea coincided with the last few years of Lampard’s glittering Stamford Bridge career.

Lampard’s work ethic opened Romeu’s eyes to the standards required to succeed in the Premier League.

Now a seasoned Premier League midfielder himself, Romeu is looking forward to being in the Saints team that forms the opposition as his former teammate prepares for his first season as a manager.

Romeu, who joined Chelsea from Barcelona as a teenager in 2011, said: “I was there two years and it was fantastic to share time with players like Frank.”

"As a kid I always looked up to him so having him every day next to me was a gift.

“To see him working and the way he prepared to play…he had won many things but he was still hungry.

“He was someone who lived more by example than by words but was very well respected by everyone.

“He was probably the one working the hardest, always doing extra exercises.

“It was amazing to see someone like him always trying to improve; whether it was on his shooting or his finishing or something else, he was always trying to get that bit extra out of himself.”

Romeu and Lampard played several games together in Chelsea’s midfield, particularly during the 2011/12 season.

“I was 19/20 so to see a player like him behaving that way was inspiring.

“You realise all the success he had didn’t come from nothing. He did so many good things to get there.

“When I shared time with players like Frank, John Terry and Petr Cech I realised why they are the players they are.”

Knowing him as he does, Romeu is backing Lampard to be a managerial success.

“Frank was an offensive player, always looking for balls behind defenders and always getting in the box so I’m sure he’ll want his players to attack and press high as well.

“He was an excellent player and it will be good to see him in a different role.

“If he starts well in his first job he can do something very, very good. He knows a lot about football and played for a lot of different managers. He’s a clever man.”

Lampard has confirmed that his recent loan signings, Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount and Liverpool winger Harry Wilson, will make their debuts against Saints today.

“It’s caught the imagination and I am pleased that’s the case because they are exciting young players,” he told RamsTV.

“Their attitude and mentality has been great, they’ve really brought that breath of fresh air that youth can bring.”