Netherlands boss De Boer provides encouraging Virgil van Dijk injury update
Frank de Boer claims Virgil van Dijk is on track to be available for the Netherlands' opening Euros game this summer.
The Dutch kick-off their Group C campaign against Ukraine on June 13, almost eight months after Van Dijk suffered an anterior cruciate ligament in Liverpool's draw with Everton.
The centre-back has made steady progress on the long road back to full fitness, but Reds boss Jurgen Klopp has not specified a return date.
But an encouraging update by De Boer hints Van Dijk will be raring to go once more by early summer, so long as he avoids any setbacks.
The Netherlands boss told Dutch outlet De Telegraaf : “He is busy with so much energy.
“If you see what he’s doing… In my time you were only allowed to kick in the swimming pool.
“If Virgil doesn’t get a kick back and things go a little faster than expected, he should be able to make it for the opening European Championship match on June 13 against Ukraine.
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“He is very important for our team, on and off the field.”
Van Dijk has made 38 appearances for his country and was appointed Netherlands captain in 2018, steering them to the Nations League final the following year.
While participation at the Euros is a strong possibility, it remains to be seen if Van Dijk will return to the field for Liverpool this season.
Klopp recently said of the 29-year-old: "It's very good but still a long way to go, that's [the deal with] this kind of injury.
"I'm happy when I see these videos because it just shows he makes good progress but it will still take a lot of time, that's how it is.
"I'd like to say something else but these are the facts unfortunately."
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