Daniel James minutes concern as key Leeds United man's 'not ideal' Wales situation explained
Wales boss Craig Bellamy has gone into detail regarding his use of two Leeds United players during the international break.
Wales boss Craig Bellamy was conscious not to overload Daniel James during the winger’s first start for club or country on Saturday since returning from an ankle injury.
James hasn’t made a Leeds United starting line-up since August and most recently missed around three weeks due to an ankle injury, albeit the initial recovery timeline was double that. The 28-year-old came off the bench in his side’s last four games, none of which provided more than 30 minutes of action.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s 1-0 win over Liechtenstein, James declared he was fit enough to start games and duly earned his place in Bellamy’s line-up. The Leeds winger eventually provided the assist for Jordan James’ winner on the hour mark before being taken off minutes after that crucial contribution.
“If someone is only playing 10 or 20 minutes at his club, then he comes here and I play him 90, do you think he’d then be able to play against North Macedonia [on Tuesday]? No,” Bellamy said. “The load is too much.
“We have to manage it because we want players in the right condition. I even looked at it then and thought ‘do I take Dan James off? Actually he’s doing really well at the moment but if I keep him on any longer, can I take him to North Macedonia.’ It’s frustrating but I’ve dealt with periodisation long enough myself and I completely buy into it.”
One player who didn’t need minutes managing is Ethan Ampadu but that was almost to his detriment on Saturday after a challenge in the 86th minute earned him a yellow card. The combative midfielder is now suspended for Tuesday’s meeting with North Macedonia with Wales needing to win to earn a World Cup play-off spot.
Wales were 1-0 up at the time and seemingly in control of the game, which raised questions as to why Ampadu wasn’t substituted in the knowledge he was one booking away from suspension. Bellamy instead took off goalscorer James on 77 minutes, despite the No.17 already being banned for Tuesday himself.
“In an ideal world, I’d have loved to have taken Ethan off,” Bellamy explained of the unfortunate situation. “It wasn’t ideal, one [goal] wasn’t enough. We can only make five changes and I have to make certain changes due to what minutes certain players are able to play. I don’t think we understand that quite well enough but it’s normal.”
Ampadu has remained with the Wales squad but will watch Tuesday’s crucial World Cup qualifier from the Cardiff City Stadium stands. Karl Darlow, Joe Rodon and James could all realistically start the midweek international game although it remains to be seen if the latter’s minutes will once again be managed ahead of his return to Leeds.
There are growing calls for James to get his first Leeds start since August when Aston Villa arrive at Elland Road on Sunday. Brenden Aaronson has been a regular at right-wing but lacked the attacking cut-and-thrust Farke’s side need, while he also features for the USA in the early hours of Wednesday morning.