Virgil van Dijk is available for Southampton’s Premier League clash with Watford on Saturday after returning to first-team training this week.

The Dutchman was the subject of intense transfer speculation over the summer and was most notably linked with a move to Liverpool, who were forced to issue a public apology in June for an improper approach for the defender.

Van Dijk had been training on his own after handing in a transfer request at the start of August, citing previous conversations with club officials and manager Mauricio Pellegrino over his "desire to leave the club in search of a new challenge".

Virgil van Dijk has returned to first-team training at Southampton

He added that he wanted to "play European football again and challenge for major honours" while saying he had been "left frustrated by the club's position that I am not for sale".

Chelsea and Manchester City were also credited with an interest in the 26-year-old, who has not played for the first-team since suffering an ankle injury in Southampton's 3-0 win over Leicester in January, but no move materialised as the transfer window closed on Thursday.

Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino

However, Van Dijk has been back in training with the rest of the first-team squad as he continues his recovery from injury and will be available for selection this weekend as Premier League action returns after the international break.

Southampton have taken five points from their opening three Premier League games this season but did suffer an early exit in the Carabao Cup at the hands of Wolves last month.