Captain of Southampton Virgil van Dijk is close to returning to the field.

Van Dyke injured his ankle in January this year and since then has not played a single minute for the first team of Southampton. In summer the defender demanded a transfer to Liverpool, but the transfer did not take place.

"Virgil returns after a long period of inactivity. On Monday, he will play for the reserve team. We are trying to help him prepare for matches as a basis, "- said the head coach of the" saints "Mauricio Pellegrino.

It is worth noting that this week, Van Dijk already trained with the first team.

In the summer, Southampton was replenished by two central defenders - Jan Bednarek and Wesley Hoodt. In addition, Virgil will have to compete with Jack Stevens and Maya Yoshida.