Daniel James
LEE
RW
Wide Forward
Nov 10, 1997 (28)
Right
5'7"
139 lb
Leeds UnitedPlays 66 minutes in cup
James came through his back and hamstring scare to start Wednesday's 6-3 EFL Cup defeat at Chelsea, playing 66 minutes before being withdrawn.
Analysis: James came through the fitness concern over his back and hamstring sufficiently to start Wednesday's EFL Cup clash against Chelsea after Daniel Farke had said he needed to come through the next two sessions. His night ended after 66 minutes with his team trailing 4-2, and he also conceded a penalty during the match, but his ability to start suggests the earlier fitness concern was not enough to prevent him from featuring. James has played just 22 minutes in league play this season and remains primarily a depth option, making his continued availability useful for adding depth to the squad.
Small question mark, cautiously optimistic
James has a small question mark over his back and hamstring, ahead of Wednesday's EFL Cup clash against Chelsea, according to coach Daniel Farke. "A little question mark over Daniel [back and hamstring]. If he comes through our next two sessions then we're carefully optimistic."
Analysis: James was active off the bench in the recent draw with Brentford, generating four shots without placing any on target across 22 minutes of action, and now pushes for a bigger role as Leeds' fixture schedule intensifies. His status for the Chelsea match will depend on how he responds in the coming training sessions.
Four shots in draw
James generated four shots (zero on goal) and two crosses (zero accurate) in Sunday's 1-1 draw versus Brentford.
Analysis: James came on in the 68th minute and was immediately active, meeting a half-cleared ball on the edge of the penalty area before combining with Lukas Nmecha on a clever one-two that sent him charging deep into Brentford territory, lifting the ball narrowly wide of Caoimhin Kelleher's far post with a deft chip. He registered four shots from 22 minutes of action without placing any on target. James now has four shots in one Premier League substitute appearance this season and will push for a starting role as Leeds' fixture schedule intensifies.
Two shots in Sunday's win
James had two shots (zero on goal) and four crosses (zero accurate) in Sunday's 1-0 victory against Brighton.
Analysis: James made his second consecutive start Sunday, once again occupying the right side of the midfield. He managed two shots and four crosses on the attack, though he didn't record a shot on target, chance created or an accurate cross. He was subbed off in the 60th minute for Wilfried Gnonto.
Finds bench
James (groin) is on the bench for Wednesday's match against Bournemouth.
Analysis: James had returned to the team sheet Wednesday after he was involved in training this week, with the attacker fit enough to earn a bench role. This ends his three-match slide due to the groin injury, a boost to depth for the team. With a minimal four starts in 15 appearances this season, he is likely to remain in a bench role.
Trains with team, could be back
James (groin) returned to team training this week and could be in contention for Wednesday's clash against Bournemouth, according to coach Daniel Farke. "Daniel is back in team training. He needs session after session."
Analysis: James had been absent from training for several weeks with a groin issue, missing Leeds' last three fixtures across all competitions in the process, making his return to the training pitch a welcome development. The winger has not started a Premier League match since Nov. 29, so his immediate role upon return figures to be off the bench rather than straight into the starting lineup, but having him available again gives manager Farke an extra attacking option as Leeds United push through the final stretch of their campaign.
Not in training Thursday
James (groin) hasn't participated in training this week and might not be available for Saturday's game against Wolverhampton, according to manager Daniel Farke. "For the other players that are injured, with Joe Rodon, Daniel James and Anton Stach, the first step is more or less that they would be back in team training and then if they have a bit of team training then they're also available for the games. As it stands, so today [Thursday], no one is back in team training yet, but we have two more days."
Analysis: James has missed Leeds' last two games, and since he's yet to return to training, his chances of being an option for the weekend clash against Wolverhampton are minimal. That said, Farke left the door open for a return in case he appears in training Friday, but that's looking very unlikely. James wouldn't have a lot of fantasy appeal even if he's cleared to return, as he hasn't started a Premier League match since Nov. 29, 2025.
Suffers adductor strain
James is out for Monday's match against Manchester United due to an adductor injury, according to manager Daniel Farke. "Daniel [will] also miss the game. So he had sadly an adductor strain just in the session before the cup game, and won't be available.
Analysis: James is one of the few players out for the club heading into Monday, as the attacker is out with an adductor strain. Luckily for the club, this will not force a change, as he has not started in his past two appearances on the team sheet. He is likely to be eyeing around a two to three week absence, hopefully still returning in April.
Seven crosses in seven minutes
James registered seven crosses (zero accurate) and one tackle in Saturday's 0-0 draw versus Brentford.
Analysis: James came off the bench with seven minutes to go and attempted seven crosses as Leeds chased for a winner. He was unsuccessful with all of these crosses but showed lots of attacking intent with his cameo appearance. He has only attempted more than seven crosses on one occasion.
Finds bench role
James (back) is on the bench for Saturday's clash against Aston Villa.
Analysis: James is named on the bench for Saturday's clash against Aston Villa after returning from a back injury that kept him out of the last match. The forward has struggled with multiple injuries this season and continues in a rotational role. The club appears to be managing his workload carefully as he builds back fitness.
Back available
James (back) is back available and could be an option for Saturday's clash against Aston Villa, coach Daniel Farke said in the press conference. "Good news, Stach, Struijk, Dan James are back in training and available."
Analysis: James is back available and could be an option for Saturday's clash against Aston Villa after missing the last match due to a back injury. The forward has dealt with multiple injuries this season and has recently held a bench role, so the club could opt to be cautious with his workload.
Dealing with back issues
James is dealing with back issues and wasn't an option for Sunday's win against Birmingham City in the FA Cup, coach Daniel Farke said in a press conference, according to LeedsLive. "Dan has issues with his back."
Analysis: James' injury woes are not over, as he is now dealing with a back issue shortly after returning from a long term hamstring injury. The forward is expected to undergo further evaluation in the coming days to determine the full extent of the problem and clarify a potential timetable. That said, his absence does not shake up the starting XI, as he had been operating primarily as a bench option prior to his long-term layoff.
Available off bench
James (hamstring) is on the bench for Friday's game against Nottingham Forest.
Analysis: James was described as having a chance to be available Friday, and the speedy winger will wait for his opportunity on the bench. James tends to play off the bench, so while his return boosts Leeds' depth in the final third, he's not expected to be a regular fantasy contributor any time soon.
Could be available against Forest
James (hamstring) could be available against Nottingham Forest after making good progress in training, said coach Daniel Farke in the press conference. "James is making progress, very good news."
Analysis: James could be available against Nottingham Forest after making good progress in training, having missed the last 12 matches with a hamstring injury. The winger had been a regular substitute prior to the injury and is expected to return in a rotational role.
Out to face Arsenal
James (hamstring) is ruled out for Saturday's clash against Arsenal.
Analysis: James is not available for Saturday's clash against Arsenal despite recently being cleared after a lengthy hamstring injury absence. The attacker missed 11 matches and has not played since Nov. 29, with his return delayed further. He remains sidelined after making 10 appearances this season, including four starts.
Fit for Saturday
James (hamstring) is an option for Saturday's match against Arsenal, according to manager Daniel Farke. "He was out for such a long time, but you can see him more or less growing from session to session, from day to day. It is good to have him back."
Analysis: James will miss no more time after an extended absence with a hamstring injury, missing 11 games and last playing Nov. 29, but cleared for play again. This will likely leave the attacker in a spot on the bench in his return, needing to build some minutes before he is ready for the start. He has started in four of his 10 appearances this season, more of a rotational option.
Partially integrated
James (hamstring) is partially in training and close to fully training, according to manager Daniel Farke, per Kyle Newbound of the Yorkshire Evening Post. "Dan yesterday and today part-integrated, close to joining us in full training. Will last a bit until he's fit and ready for games, but good news."
Analysis: James is still battling his injury, but is the furthest in his recovery he has been, with the attacker able to take the field for partial training. However, he is yet to fully train, planning to train with the rest of his team in the coming week. That said, he still needs a week or two before he returns, still positive after his last appearance in November.
Nearing return
James (hamstring) is not too far from making his return to the squad, coach Daniel Farke said in the press conference. "Daniel is not too far away."
Analysis: James missed all the games since late November due to a hamstring injury but the winger is not too far from making his return. This return could happen before the end of the month if everything goes as planned but won't impact the starting XI since the former Manchester United player has been only a bench option this season, losing his undisputed starter role that he had last campaign.
Around two weeks from team training
James (hamstring) is around two weeks away from training again, according to manager Daniel Farke. At the moment he's around two weeks away from team training and this is the first step. So we expect him back in two weeks, at least around this date, back in team training and then we will see how quick he is available for the games."
Analysis: James is seeing some more positive news after avoiding surgery, as the attacker is now looking to train again in around two weeks. This would line him up with a potential return to end January, already missing seven games due to his injury. Once he is fit, a bench spot will be expected, only starting in four of his 10 appearances this season.
Doesn't need surgery
James won't get surgery on his hamstring injury but will still be out eight weeks, according to manager Daniel Farke. "Dan, no surgery, it'll still be 8 weeks total he'll be out."
Analysis: It's a somewhat positive update on James, though it doesn't mean he's completely out of the woods from any setbacks. Hamstring injuries take time and he'll likely need all of the eight weeks before he's ready again, pointing to a possible February return. Given the severity, he'll likely need at least a week of full training before he can be considered again.
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