MX23RW : Tuesday, November 19 19:29:07| >> :120:7130:7130:

Virgil van Dijk gets minutes under his belt with Southampton Under-23s

Van Dijk steps up fitness in U23s clash
© SilverHub
Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk features for the Under-23s in a bid to step up his fitness following eight months on the sidelines.

Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk came through Monday evening's Under-23s match unscathed.

The Dutchman played in a 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa, but showed that he is not quite up to first-team fitness yet.

Van Dijk, who was heavily linked with a move to Liverpool in the summer transfer window, missed the majority of last season after suffering an ankle injury in January.

The 26-year-old tried to force a move out of St Mary's by submitting a transfer request, but the Saints hierarchy could not be swayed.

It is unclear when Van Dijk will be welcomed back into the fold, but the centre-back looked rusty on Monday evening when he was at fault for the first, second and fourth goals that the U23s conceded.

In the Dutchman's absence this season, Mauricio Pellegrino's side have lost one, drawn two and won one in the Premier League.

ID:307015: cacheID:307015:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:1822:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Virgil van Dijk is subbed with a foot injury during the Premier League game between Southampton and Leicester City on January 22, 2017
Read Next:
Pellegrino: 'Van Dijk to play for reserves'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
1.15am
Texans
@
Cowboys
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!