Maya Yoshida in battle with Virgil van Dijk at Southampton

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Maya Yoshida has started six of Southampton's seven games this season
But the Japanese centre back has admitted that his place is under threat
Virgil van Dijk is now fit and available for selection after a turbulent year
The Dutchman injured his ankle in January and then tried to force a move away
But the Saints kept hold of him and he is in contention for a starting place

Published: 07:21 EDT, 25 September 2017 | Updated: 07:42 EDT, 25 September 2017

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Southampton defender Maya Yoshida knows Virgil van Dijk's return to the squad will make it even more difficult to hold down a place in the starting line-up.

But Yoshida says the increased competition can only be good for the Saints.

Van Dijk, who has not started for Southampton since suffering an ankle injury in January, was the subject of transfer interest from Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea in the summer.

Maya Yoshida has started six of Southampton's seven games in all competitions this season

The Japanese kept the Saints tight at the back in Saturday's 1-0 loss to Manchester United

But Yoshida is aware that his starting place in now under threat from Virgil van Dijk (above)

But Southampton managed to hold onto the Dutchman and now have him available for selection again.

Yoshida made his fifth Premier League start of the season in Southampton's 1-0 home defeat to Manchester United on Saturday and says if he wants to continue having regular first team football he could not afford to make mistakes.

'It's really tough, I understand. Virgil is one of the best centre backs in the Premier League,' Yoshida told reporters.

'I have to keep strong in my performance to the manager, the fans, get a result for the team. It's only the things I can do. I just focus on myself and playing well.

'Even (Jack) Stephens was not involved in the squad. That's the kind of really high competition we have in Southampton.'

While Southampton are one of the tightest teams at the back, conceding five goals in six matches this season, they continue to struggle up front and Saturday's defeat marked the eighth time in nine home league games they have failed to score.