Frank Nouble hopes for happy returns at his old club

The Wolves striker and former Chelsea academy and reserve striker returns to Stamford Bridge a day after his 21st birthday seeking to cause a Capital One Cup upset at the Premier League leaders.

Nouble, who left Chelsea to join West Ham before signing on a free transfer for Wolves in the summer, was mentored by Champions League hero Didier Drogba and Carlton Cole during his four years in the Blues academy.

And the powerful striker, who was a regular scorer for Chelsea's under-18 side, wants to show his old colleagues what he has learned and how he has progressed.

He said: "I'm really looking forward to going back to Chelsea and seeing a lot of people who helped me out when I was younger. I was very thankful for that and there are some good memories.

"Going back there is just about showing the stuff which I learned at Chelsea and how I've developed since.

"The game is the day after my 21st birthday and I won't need any extra motivation."

Nouble revealed he could have stayed longer at Stamford Bridge but his impatience for first-team football led to him moving to the Hammers.

He said: " They offered me an extension to carry on there but it was about my eagerness for first-team football that I didn't take it. It would be great to get a positive result and, hopefully, I'll be involved.

"Playing against Chelsea at their stadium is a big game for anyone whether you're 30, 19 or 20. Everyone in the squad wants to play and show what they can do, especially on that stage."

Nouble has had to bide his time for his chance behind Kevin Doyle, Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Bjorn Sigurdarson.

But after showing impatience earlier in his career, he is prepared to play a waiting game now, saying: "I'm hungry to succeed here but I'll keep my head down."