Mauricio Pellegrino refuses to be drawn on Virgil van Dijk future
Sunday 24 December 2017 06:06, UK
Mauricio Pellegrino refused to be drawn on the future of Virgil van Dijk, who was left out of the Southampton side that drew 1-1 with Huddersfield.
The defender was a surprise omission from the matchday squad ahead of the draw, which extended their winless streak to six matches.
The Netherlands international continues to be linked with a move away from the club, but Pellegrino insisted before the game he did not start because of Southampton's hectic Christmas schedule. And after the game, the Argentine wouldn't reveal whether he will be leaving the club.
"We know around Virgil there is a lot of speculation about him," he told Sky Sports.
"We have to wait and see what will happen. I can't control this but we have to think of our games."
Charlie Austin scored Southampton's goal, which was his fifth in his last five Premier League starts. He pulled up with a hamstring injury in the second half and Pellegrino admits he is a significant loss.
He added: "It's a hamstring. We will analyse in the next week with the doctor and we will see.
"Charlie's our top scorer and it's a big pity but its part of football.
"In this moment, people who are waiting for his opportunity have to show the quality and the big problem is Charlie is not in a good moment but it's part of life."
