Virgil van Dijk will see a specialist in the coming days as Saints continue to assess his injury.

The club have not ruled him out for three months as some reports have suggested, but initial scans have failed to provide a clear answer as to the extent of the injury the star defender suffered in the win over Leicester.

Van Dijk is now waiting for the swelling and bruising to subside around his left ankle before having further scans and seeing another specialist to get a firm diagnosis.

Saints boss Claude Puel said: “I don’t know for the moment.

“I think it’s important injury. He has to see another specialist in a few days and we will see in the next days.”

Jack Stephens put in a stellar display at Anfield in van Dijk’s place, partnering Maya Yoshida to a clean sheet to help Saints to Wembley in only his fourth start for the club.

“It was a very good game of course for Jack and it was an exciting game to play but difficult because he has not a lot of experience,” reckoned Puel.

“He played this game with good spirit and calm like the maturity of an experienced player.

“When he played with the under-21s it was very interesting and for me it was normal to put him in the team because it’s important for Southampton to continue this work and improve this situation.

“Also for the philosophy of Southampton and for all the trainers in the academy and congratulations.”