Leeds United: Daniel Farke shares early injury blow for Plymouth clash as Dan James now set to miss out
Leeds United attacker Dan James will now miss Saturday’s FA Cup clash against Plymouth Argyle, Daniel Farke has confirmed.
The Welshman came off at half-time as the Whites recorded a crucial 1-0 victory over Norwich City at Elland Road on Wednesday evening (24 January) to close the gap between themselves and the automatic promotion spot to two points.
And Farke confirmed after the match (via Adam Pope, 24 January) that James suffered a hip injury in the first half of their win and will now miss the FA Cup fourth-round clash against Plymouth at Elland Road, news which followed the development of Wilfried Gnonto who was nowhere to be seen for the Norwich win.
Archie Gray also came off for Leeds with what looked like a worrying injury, late in the second half and Farke is “cautiously optimistic” that the Elland Road youngster has not suffered any ligament damage after an initial assessment.
Blow
James has been a real beacon of light for the Whites this season after his assist for Patrick Bamford against Norwich meant he recorded his 16-goal contribution (10 goals, six assists) for the club in what’s been a superb campaign.
The FA Cup clash may well be a chance for Farke to rotate given the injuries he’s suffered already this season but to lose Dan James is a bitter pill to swallow and there is now the hope he won’t miss too many games in what will be a gruelling fixture list for the Whites in the playoff chase.
With no update surrounding Gnonto’s absence for the match, Farke is now severely limited in attack and now means that Jaidon Anthony, with all that’s gone on in his family recently, will now be expected to step up in James’ absence.
The Bournemouth loanee did enjoy a bright cameo for Leeds United in the second half of Wednesday’s win and this is now his chance to prove his worth to Farke and he will almost certainly now start Saturday’s game.
Moreover, the club simply cannot afford to lose James for the long haul right now so fingers crossed, his absence is Farke taking a much-needed precaution.
In other Leeds United news, a talkSPORT commentator was left wowed by what “magnificent” Patrick Bamford did in their Championship clash v Norwich.
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