• Football

  • Premier League

Southampton News

News

  • News
  • Teams
  • Video
  • Fixtures
  • Results
  • Tables
  • Stats
  • Squad
  • Transfers
  • Sky Bet
  • Super 6
More from Football
  • Football Home
  • Premier League

Virgil van Dijk staying at Southampton, Claude Puel says

By Stephen Turner

Last Updated: 08/05/17 10:08pm

Southampton manager Claude Puel says that Virgil van Dijk will play for the club next season
Southampton manager Claude Puel says that Virgil van Dijk will play for the club next season

Virgil van Dijk will still be a Southampton player next season, according to his manager Claude Puel.

The Saints captain is recuperating after surgery on the ankle damage he suffered playing against Leicester on January 22.

Speaking ahead of Wednesday's Premier League game against Arsenal, Puel said he expected Van Dijk back at the start of next season - and in a Southampton shirt.

Van Dijk injured his ankle during Southampton's January win against Leicester
Van Dijk injured his ankle during Southampton's January win against Leicester

"It was a bad injury," he said. "But now it's okay. The surgery is finished, he can work normally, he can start the gym work and rehab to come back for next season....and with us.

"He is our captain. He is important for us. He is a fantastic player. We will wait until the beginning of the season to see him again on the pitch. He has a long contract and I think the directors want to keep him".

Saints chairman Ralph Krueger made it clear in February he wants to keep van Dijk, who has been widely linked with Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool.

Krueger said: "We are just out of the January transfer window and are striving to keep this group together and to build on it.

"Virgil is very committed us for a long time and we don't see anything but that in our future. He is our team captain and we don't see him anywhere else than in red and white stripes."

Puel hopes Charlie Austin will return before the end of the season
Puel hopes Charlie Austin will return before the end of the season

Puel also said he hopes to use Charlie Austin - out since December with a shoulder injury - before the end of the season.

Austin played an hour for the club's U23 side last week, and Puel said: "I am happy with his work. If he continues perhaps it would be interesting to see him play."

Also See:

  • Transfer Centre LIVE!
  • Ref Watch: Red card for Mignolet
  • Premier League grades
  • Puel lauds 'fantastic' job

Trending

  • 1
    'Herrera an unsung hero for Man Utd'
  • 2
    Rivalry In The Picture: Nev and Carra
  • 3
    Cardiff and Nantes agree Sala fee delay
  • 4
    Joshua vs Usyk expected next year
  • 5
    Pep: We're not ready to challenge for CL
  • 6
    Chambers' midfield transformation
  • 7
    'Hard not to feel sorry for Sarri'
  • 8
    Anderson's form in stats
  • 9
    Kvyat tops shock testing top three
  • 10
    How to handle title-race pressure
  • Video
  • Latest News
  • Home
  • Sports
    • Football
    • F1
    • Cricket
    • Rugby Union
    • Rugby League
    • Golf
    • Boxing
    • Tennis
    • Cycling
    • Racing
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • NBA
    • Motorsport
    • Netball
    • GAA
    • WWE
    • eSports
    • More Sports
  • Score Centre
  • Video
  • TV
  • Sky Bet
  • Games
  • More
    • Transfer Centre
    • Live on Sky
    • Get Sky Sports
    • TV Shows
    • TV Guide
    • Competitions
    • Sky Go
    • Now TV
    • Pub Finder
    • Sportswomen
    • Sports Scholarships
    • Podcasts
    • Mobile
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • Contact Us
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Sky.com
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Sky Sports
    • Get Sky Sports
    • Sky Sports Apps
    • Sportinglife.com
    • TEAMtalk.com
    • Football365.com
    • Team Sky
  • Partners
    • Sky Bet
    • Fantasy Football
    • Super 6
    • Sky Sports Pub Finder
    • Living for Sport
    • Planet Rugby
    • Golf365
    • Planet F1
    • Cricket365
  • Sky Sports Channels
    • Sky Sports Main Event
    • Sky Sports Premier League
    • Sky Sports Football
    • Sky Sports Cricket
    • Sky Sports Golf
    • Sky Sports Racing
    • Sky Sports F1
    • Sky Sports Action
    • Sky Sports Arena
    • Sky Sports News
    • Sky Sports Mix
  • More Sky Sites
    • Sky.com
    • Sky News
    • Sky Corporate
    • Sky For Businesses
    • Now TV
    • Sky Communal TV
    • Sky Academy
    • Bigger Picture
    • Store Locator
    • Work for Sky
    • Advertise With Us
    • Sky TV Accessories
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy & Cookies Notice
  • Accessibility Information
  • Contact Us

©2019 Sky UK