Credit: Imago

Evan Halliday

Tue 30 September 2025 12:31, UK

Leeds have made a strong start to the Premier League season, but their good efforts could be derailed following a concerning revelation.

Daniel Farke looked set for his third win since gaining promotion to the top flight until Bournemouth’s late equaliser sealed a 2-2 draw at Leeds, and made them regret not taking their chances.

Welsh forward, Dan James, was on the bench for the game, and his latest injury update doesn’t bode well for any potential gametime in future weeks after suffering in training.

While the exact details of James’ current setback remain unclear, an ankle knock will keep him sidelined for weeks, not months.

Dan James’ injury history highlights a key concern

James missed 10 games last season due to a hamstring injury, the most he has ever been forced to miss in his career.

Last season’s major knock had James on a 49-day break from action spanning across the months of August, September, and October.

This made it consecutive campaigns in which the forward has suffered from a hamstring muscle issue, and recurring injuries are usually a sign of some vulnerability.

While never being faced with a worryingly prolonged spell on the sidelines, James has consistently struggled with knocks and minor injuries since his Swansea days, missing the final couple of games last season, too.

In just two seasons and limited minutes at Manchester United, James suffered five separate injuries that saw him out of contention for playing time for 51 days in total.

Farke opted for Brenden Aaronson on the right side against Bournemouth, with the Welsh international on the bench.

Again, the German manager will be without James’ pace for Leeds against Tottenham on 4 October, and could even miss until the November international break.

As well as the Spurs clash at Elland Road, the Welshman will miss what could be a crucial run of games in Leeds’ fight for survival.

Burnley will host Leeds after the October break, in what could be a vital affair for both newly promoted clubs.

West Ham are the next team to travel to Elland Road, but James won’t be someone Nuno Espirito Santo needs to worry about.

Away games against Brighton and Nottingham Forest will likely not have the Welshman in attendance, but hopefully for Farke and Leeds, he will be ready to go for their clash against Aston Villa on 23 November.

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A much-needed rest for Dan James at Leeds

When he is on the pitch, James’ pace is frightening and a staple of his overall game.

Players who rely on their physical attributes tend to lose a large part of their game after suffering a long-term injury and are often branded with ‘never getting back to the player they were’ by pundits and fans.

James will be hopeful his latest setback isn’t an extended one and can get back to continuing Leeds’ positive start to the season.

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