Mauricio Pellegrino has updated the media before the opener against Swansea, but his team plans have been dealt a catastrophic blow with the news that Virgil Van Dijk has been unable to train for two days with a virus.
Mauricio Pellegrino's team selections have been thrown into disarray by the news that Virgil Van Dijk is now down with a virus thus ruling him out of being available for Selection to face the Swans.
Asked if Van Dijk will play ahead of the game against Swansea City Pellegrino said:
"‘No, no, because this week he was with some trouble with a virus. He couldn’t train the last two days."
" My reaction is the same that I said three weeks ago we are expecting him to come back to train with us because we need the player, Virgil is an important player and we need him focusing on our club.”
"Hopefully he can change his point of view. The club was clear from the beginning with the player."
"We can't control every single situation. but we can decide our dynamic inside this club, and Virgil is part of our club. Good contract. Virgil is part of our club. He has a contract but we are now waiting."
With regard to new signing Mario Lemina Pellegrino confirmed that he would be available for selection but not whether he would play.
"Physically he is good, because he has been training in Juventus, but we will decide between today and tomorrow if he will be part of the team," he said.
Otherwise there are no other injury problems in the squad although the manager commented that some players such as Cedric were late joining the squad due to International duty and that they were being monitored as to their fitness levels etc.