Uh Oh: £50k-a-Week Leeds Star Daniel James, Praised as “Brilliant” by Daniel Farke, Out for 5+ Games with Injury

Leeds United have been dealt a significant blow with news that one of their key players will be sidelined, presenting a challenge for manager Daniel Farke in the upcoming fixtures.

Leeds’ Strong Start After a Tumultuous Summer

Leeds are currently in the Championship promotion race, remaining unbeaten after four games with two draws and two wins prior to the international break.

This follows a challenging summer for the club, which faced playoff disappointment against Southampton and missed out on an immediate Premier League return.

The club underwent a major overhaul, parting ways with promising young talent Archie Gray, who was sold to Tottenham for over £30 million to comply with financial fair play regulations.

Championship Player of the Year Crysencio Summerville and another key attacker, Georginio Rutter, also left for the Premier League, joining West Ham and Brighton respectively.

Additionally, several players who spent the 2023/24 season on loan either moved permanently or went out on loan again.

Despite these significant departures and financial constraints, Leeds have made a strong start to the season and are considered contenders for at least a playoff spot.

However, they now face an injury setback.

Injury Setback for Leeds

Manager Daniel Farke has confirmed that winger Daniel James will be out for at least the next five games due to a hamstring injury, sidelining him for about a month.

The 26-year-old Welsh international, who earns £50,000 a week at Elland Road, started the first three games of the season but suffered the injury before Leeds’ win over Hull City, which also ruled him out of international duty.

Farke has given a concerning update on James’ recovery. “Some bad news with James, he will be out for four weeks so we will expect him back after the next international break,” Farke said ahead of the match against Burnley.

Farke has previously praised James, calling him a “brilliant” individual after his decisive goal against Hull. “He’s a brilliant lad.

It says all about the Leeds United family. We’re happy for him, and we are there for all family members,” Farke added.

With Leeds already light in attack, the team will need to manage without James for their upcoming fixtures, including the game against Burnley, as well as away matches against Cardiff City, Norwich City, and Sunderland, and a home fixture against Coventry City.

James may also be sidelined longer as he works on regaining match fitness following the October international break.

This injury could provide opportunities for summer signings Manor Solomon and Largie Ramazani, both of whom made their Leeds debuts in the win over Hull City.