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Virgil van Dijk returns to training with Southampton's first-team squad

Virgil van Dijk has returned to training with Southampton after a summer that saw him attempt to force an exit from the club.

Van Dijk, 26, had been training by himself after handing in a transfer request to Southampton last month.

The Netherlands international was linked with an exit from St Mary's, with Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal all being credited with an interest in him, but a move failed to materialise.

Southampton had insisted that their captain was not for sale and Liverpool were forced into an apology and public withdrawal of interest after an allegation of "tapping up" was made to the Premier League.

However, Van Dijk, who has been out of action since suffering an ankle injury in January, looks to have put his problems with Southampton to one side after returning to training with the rest of the first-team squad this week.

The defender is reportedly available for selection for Southampton's Premier League clash with Watford on Saturday, though the Daily Telegraph claims he is still several weeks away from being match fit.

Southampton currently sit eighth in the Premier League, having picked up five points from three games in Van Dijk's absence.