The Leeds United winger has endured a difficult Premier League season due to multiple injuries.
Ethan Ampadu insists his Leeds United teammate Daniel James has been ‘flying’ in training following a lengthy spell out injured.
James missed more than two months of action over the winter period after sustaining a hamstring tendon injury at Manchester City back in November. The speedy winger avoided surgery but was put through a lengthy rehab programme, returning against Nottingham Forest in early February.
An ankle injury kept James out for a month earlier in the season and he’s started just four Premier League games as a result, coming off the bench in 11 more. But having been in a starting line-up for the first time since that November injury in a 3-0 FA Cup win over Norwich City earlier this month, the Welshman has gone down to Cardiff for international duty.
He joins Ampadu, Karl Darlow and Joe Rodon as they look to secure a spot at this summer’s World Cup. Wales play Bosnia & Herzegovina in a play-off semi-final on Thursday before a potential final against one of Italy or Northern Ireland - and the winger is ready to turn a frustrating campaign around according to his Leeds skipper.
“It’s always difficult when you’ve got injuries, I had that last year,” Ampadu said when quizzed on James while away with Wales. “The way the other players were around me, keeping me positive was a help. Here [with Wales], and at Leeds, we have that together mentality.
“It’s been very frustrating to see for him, that he’s had injuries. But when he’s been back and now, he’s flying in training. He’s doing really well. He’ll just want to get minutes under his belt and show everyone what we know he can do.
“I’ve trained with him every day and since he’s been back from his most recent injury, he’s been at the level we all know DJ can play. We know the threat that he is, so I think he’s just relishing the opportunity to go and show everyone he’s back.”
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Leeds United need Dan James back in form
In a bid to find a winner at home to Brentford last weekend, Daniel Farke brought James off the bench but while he offered a direct outlet on the right, the final ball was lacking. The Welshman failed to find a teammate with multiple crosses but did at least beat an opposition defender.
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