By Joe Roberts

11th Oct, 2023 | 9:26pm

Leeds United: BBC pundit raises questions over Daniel James amid really concerning Wales news

BBC Sport pundit Iwan Roberts has raised questions on Dan James’ role for Wales after the Leeds star came on for the injured Wes Burns for Wales against Gibraltar.

Writing on BBC Sport’s live blog of the Wales game (11 October), Roberts questioned where manager Rob Page would put James after Burns’ removal, with the blog claiming the Ipswich Toen man looked “really concerned” with the damage to his arm.

Roberts also suggested that the forward may not play in Wales’ upcoming Euro qualifier against Croatia on Sunday (15 October) due to his role in this fixture.

Roberts wrote: “It looks like Dan James is coming on so will Rob Page go to four at the back with Regan Poole moving to right back? Or is he going to ask James to play as a wing-back, also does this mean that Dan James isn’t playing on Sunday?”

Minutes

James will probably be frustrated to be getting some more minutes into his legs. The Welshman has been on fine form this season, securing one goal and four assists in the Championship. Fixtures will hit the Whites thick and fast after this international break, so energy conservation will be a priority.

While he is not a certain starter, James has amassed 704 minutes of football for Leeds this season and may have been eager for a rest in this international friendly. However, an untimely haul form the bench has hampered these plans.

Wales have a more important clash against Croatia later this week, so the former Swansea City man may have wanted to conserve his energy for that fixture. Now, Jones may choose to keep James on the sidelines with his side’s stamina in mind.

The international break has impacted Leeds more than most Championship clubs, and Farke will naturally be concerned regarding any potential injuries to his forward, especially in a friendly.

In other Leeds United news, a Spanish side may be lining up a move for one Leeds star.