Back to the Southampton Newsfeed

Virgil van Dijk could end Southampton exile against Crystal Palace - Pellegrino

Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk could end his exile this weekend, according to manager Mauricio Pellegrino.

Van Dijk handed in a transfer request over the summer amid strong speculation linking him with a move away from St Mary's.

The Netherlands international has not featured in any of Southampton's five matches so far this campaign due to the uncertainty over his future, and has not played competitively since suffering a foot ligament injury against Leicester in January.

He was selected for an under-23s game on Monday -- a 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa -- and may now be a surprise inclusion for the Premier League fixture at Crystal Palace on Saturday as he attempts to get his career back on track.