Virgil van Dijk to make Southampton return... with the U23s

Southampton boss Mauricio Pellegrino has revealed that Virgil van DIjk will play for the Southampton Under-23s at Walsall FC’s Bescot Stadium on Monday night.

It will be the Dutch defender’s first action for the club since going off injured against Leicester City on January 22.

Martin Hunter’s side will face Aston Villa U23s in their Premier League 2 fixture, with van Dijk working towards a full return to the first-team.

“He’s gone a long period of time without playing a game and this is my concern right now,” said Pellegrino following Southampton’s 2-0 defeat to Watford on Saturday.

“He will play Monday in the reserve team. We have to be ready to help him.”

Van Dijk, who never saw a move summer move materialise, missed all of pre-season and only returned to the first-team at the start of the week, having been left to train with the reserves.

The U23s will kick-off their match against Villa at 7pm.