Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino on Virgil van Dijk who is linked with Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City

Mauricio Pellegrino says there has been no change in Virgil van Dijk’s Saints stand-off.

The manager confirmed that his want away Dutch defender has refused to back down after handing in a transfer request and continues to train away from the rest of the first team.

Pellegrino said: “The Virgil situation nothing has changed. It is the same like last week.

“I don’t have anything to say.”

Pellegrino is hoping his team can provide him with a first win of the season when West Ham visit St Mary’s on Saturday after an opening day goalless draw with Swansea.

“West Ham is a strong team and for me it will be a tough, a really difficult game,” reflected Pellegrino.

“We never know what will happen in the future in the game. Football is an unpredictable sport.

“They sign players with experience, players that have quality to create problems, but for us I think we have to keep going in the same way, keep playing in different aspects in the same way we did against Swansea.

“We know right now that it will be a really difficult game.”

Pellegrino confirmed he has a fully fit squad for the visit of the Hammers.