Dan James Targets Smooth Pre-Season After 18-Match Injury Absence
dan james missed 18 matches across Leeds United and Wales in an injury-hit 2025/26 season, but he arrived in camp this week saying he feels far fitter. The winger is now trying to keep that run going before Leeds begin a pre-season that includes a USA tour and a Dublin meeting with Manchester United.
James and Wales
James linked up with Wales for friendlies against Ghana and Romania this week, giving him competitive minutes before Leeds turn to pre-season. He said he feels far fitter on arrival in camp and added that it wants to be as fit as possible this time, after slight summer injuries in recent years have hampered his pre-season.
That makes the next few weeks more than routine. James has already had a season broken up by a hamstring tendon problem that ruled him out for two months, then a spring groin strain that cost him another three weeks, so a clean stretch now would give Leeds a better read on where he stands before the club’s summer work begins.
Leeds' 47-point finish
Leeds ended the campaign on 47 points in 14th place, and they secured safety with three matches to spare. James returned to play in each of the final four league fixtures, which at least gave him a late run of game time after the disruption.
He also put the season in the club’s wider frame, saying they want to become established in the Premier League. That is the standard Leeds will try to carry into a pre-season that already has two clear pressure points: the USA tour and the trip to face Manchester United in Dublin.
Leeds' summer test
The practical issue for Leeds is not just whether James is available, but whether he can string together enough uninterrupted training and match work to start the summer on firmer ground. His late-season return helped, yet 18 missed matches still left his campaign defined more by absences than rhythm.
For James, the task is straightforward: stay on the pitch long enough for Leeds to treat pre-season as preparation rather than recovery. If he does that, the winger goes into a summer with a rare advantage for him — time to build instead of time to catch up.
