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Southampton: Virgil van Dijk earns Netherlands call-up

By Chris Hughes

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 16: Virgil van Dijk of Southampton gesutres during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Southampton at Selhurst Park on September 16, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 16: Virgil van Dijk of Southampton gesutres during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Southampton at Selhurst Park on September 16, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images) /
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Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk has been recalled to the Netherlands’ senior side, ahead of two World Cup qualifiers.

After losing his place ahead of the last international break, the Dutch international has won back his place after featuring again for Southampton this past weekend against Stoke City.

Van Dijk was previously dropped from the national team as he was still working his way back to fitness, which included two 90-minute appearances for the Saints’ Under-23 side.

The 26-year-old – who made his desire to leave the club very clear over the summer – came on as a substitute against Crystal Palace two weeks ago. It was his first game since his injury in January and was met with a mix of cheers and boos.

Next: Stoke City 2-1 Southampton: Match takeaways

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – NOVEMBER 09: Davy Klaassen of the Netherlands (7) celebrates with Virgil van Dijk (4) as he scores their first goal from a penalty during the international friendly match between Netherlands and Belgium at Amsterdam Arena on November 9, 2016 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – NOVEMBER 09: Davy Klaassen of the Netherlands (7) celebrates with Virgil van Dijk (4) as he scores their first goal from a penalty during the international friendly match between Netherlands and Belgium at Amsterdam Arena on November 9, 2016 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images) /

However the infamous centre-back has now earned his place back with the Netherlands senior side – and could feature in the World Cup Qualifiers against Belarus and Sweden.

The former sit bottom of Group A with just one win from their eight qualification games – meaning Dick Advocaat will be confident of securing all three points. The Swedes however sit above the Netherlands in their standings, with a group-high 18 goals in five games seeing them to second place.

Assuming the Dutch don’t slip up against Belarus, then the game against Sweden will prove absolutely vital for qualification – if they lose they face the prospect of having to reach the World Cup Finals via the playoffs. They are currently three points behind Janne Andersson’s side..

Van Dijk made his first appearance for the Dutch national side in 2015 and has since gone on to earn 12 caps – he could potentially feature in defence alongside fellow Saint Wesley Hoedt.

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