On 21 August 2008, Cork joined Championship club Southampton on loan until 1 January 2009. In January 2009, Cork joined Championship club Watford on loan until the end of the 2008–09 season. He scored his first goal for Watford on 24 January 2009 in a 4–3 victory over Crystal Palace in the fourth round of the FA Cup. Cork signed a new three-year contract with Chelsea on 21 August 2009 and immediately joined Championship club Coventry City on loan until the end of December 2009.