Craig Bellamy issues Dan James update after Leeds United injury twist
Dan James’ injury has been confirmed by Wales manager Craig Bellamy.
Tuesday morning saw a concern emerge over James at Leeds, when Adam Pope reported that the Welshman would be out for a “long time” after suffering an injury in training.
Those fears were questioned when James was called up to the Wales squad for the upcoming international break, alongside teammates Karl Darlow, Ethan Ampadu and Joe Rodon.
The announcement led to some fans thinking the injury was fake news, but Bellamy has since confirmed that not to be the case.
Leeds will be without Dan James for several weeks
James hasn’t had the influence he will have wanted at Leeds so far this season, though, with only four games played, it’s hard to make too much of a judgment on his behalf.
However, his availability is crucial if the Whites want someone direct on the wing, but after the latest update from Bellamy, they will be without that for some time.
As relayed by Graham Smyth on X, Bellamy has confirmed that James has suffered an ankle injury, with Smyth revealing he has heard it will be “weeks, not months” in terms of his recovery time.
Depending on the number of weeks, that may not be too much of a blow for Daniel Farke’s side, who, after their Elland Road encounter with Tottenham on Saturday, will have a two-week break before they return to Premier League action.
James may be unlikely to return immediately after the break, though it isn’t likely to rule him out for much longer beyond that.
Jack Harrison needs to be given a real chance
Willy Gnonto’s availability this weekend is still unknown, but with James now ruled out, Leeds aren’t blessed with many wide options.
Brenden Aaronson impressed there for Leeds against Bournemouth, but with Jack Harrison being the only other natural winger, he needs to be given a chance.
Questions were raised when he was reintroduced into the squad for the season, and if Farke is to keep it that way, he needs to at least give him a chance to prove his worth before an inevitable division in the winter window.
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