Southampton's Virgil van Dijk out for forseeable future says Claude Puel

Southampton centre-half Virgil van Dijk will remain out for the foreseeable future with an ankle injury according to Southampton manager Claude Puel.

Van Dijk, 25, injured his ankle in Southampton's 3-0 victory over Leicester City on January 22 after a challenge from Foxes forward Jamie Vardy, and Puel has revealed he is facing something of an injury crisis and may yet have to enter the transfer market to cover Van Dijk's injury,

"Ten players are not available, it is a lot," said Puel. "If I didn't protect some players against Arsenal, we cannot play this game against Swansea and the next one against West Ham. I had to make a choice.

"We know Virgil will stay for weeks out of the team. It is important to find a good balance without him for a few weeks. We will see how long he will not be available, but at the moment, like Liverpool, it's important to get a good balance in defence. Perhaps it is important to see the market in this position."

Jack Stephens filled in for Van Dijk for Southampton's last two fixtures against Liverpool in the EFL Cup semi-final victory and Saturday's 5-0 humbling to Arsenal in the FA Cup. Puel was asked whether Stephens could fill Van Dijk's boots long-term.

"Jack [Stephens] played a good game against Liverpool, it was a difficult game against Arsenal, it's normal for a young player," Puel added.

"He has to come back with a good attitude. It is important to consider other possibilities because we have many games to play before the end of the season."

Southampton head into Tuesday's clash at Swansea without the likes of James Ward-Prowse, Jay Rodriguez, Charlie Austin, Jeremy Pied, Matt Targett and Alex McCarthy, but should welcome back Fraser Forster, Maya Yoshida, Dusan Tadic and Nathan Redmond to the starting 11.

There is still no time-frame for Van Dijk's return though.