Dan James, a winger for Leeds United, sustained an abdominal injury during the team’s victory over Middlesbrough on Friday night. As a result, James will not be available for Friday night’s trip to Queens Park Rangers.
Leeds United’s push for promotion
The Whites are only one point ahead of Ipswich, who still have a game to play, but they are currently seated in second position in the Championship.
We’re at a pivotal juncture in the season, with two games remaining for Daniel Farke’s team. Leeds defeated Boro with a huge three points in a very interesting match.
Following a 1-0 deficit, Yorkshire took the lead thanks to goals from Crysencio Summerville and Patrick Bamford. Wilfried Gnonto then made it 3-2 for Leeds with an obviously offside goal later in the game.
Summerville appeared to have won the game with some individual brilliance in the second half, but Leeds managed to hold on after Emmanuel Latte Lath scored his second goal of the game to cause a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Dan James suffers injury in Middlesbrough win
It wasn’t all good news for Leeds, though, as James seemed to be experiencing trouble late in the game despite simply substituting. The Welsh international is expected to miss Leeds’ match against QPR, according to an update the club posted on their official website about James’s fitness.
“Leeds United can reveal that during Monday’s 4-3 Sky Bet Championship victory over Middlesbrough at Riverside Stadium, winger Dan James sustained an oblique abdominal muscle rupture and a costal cartilage injury.
Therefore, the 26-year-old will be ineligible for the Whites’ journey to Loftus Road on Friday to play Queens Park Rangers.
Dan James will be missed by Leeds United.
Even though some may not consider this to be a major setback—the former Swansea City player started the match on the bench against Boro—Farke would not have been pleased to hear this news.
Although James hasn’t been playing at his best lately, his direct style and pace make him a constant threat. He has also been incredibly productive this season, contributing 13 goals and seven assists in 40 games, so he will be missed.
Gnonto and Summerville are undoubtedly two of the finest players in the league when they’re playing at their best, with the Dutch U21 international earning the Player of the Year honor well deserved.
However, Farke would rather that every player be fit at this point in the season, and James could undoubtedly contribute off the bench if he were available.
Though these things do happen in football, Jaidon Anthony—another player with this level of experience—is probably going to have more opportunities to come on as a substitute, so Leeds isn’t in a bad spot.
Leeds has a wonderful opportunity to put pressure on themselves this weekend because they are playing first before Ipswich. They will then hope that everything is in their control when they welcome Southampton to Elland Road on the last day.
