CRAIG BELLAMY has been dealt a selection blow after Dan James was ruled out of Wales’ Nations League double-header with Turkey and Montenegro next month.
Leeds boss Daniel Farke revealed winger James has a hamstring injury and is out of Saturday’s Championship clash with Hull at Elland Road.
New Wales chief Bellamy had named James in his 24-man squad for the September internationals on Wednesday morning.
But the fitness setback means the winger will now not meet up with his country.
James, 26, said: “I’m gutted to miss out. It’s a shame but I hope the injury won’t keep me out for too long.
“The injury isn’t not too bad. I only found out on Wednesday afternoon.
“It’s a new environment for all the players with the new manager and I was looking forward to going in and experiencing that.”
James was speaking at a McDonald’s Fun Football Day which saw over 500 children attend Bollington United to take part in a Fun Football session alongside their footballing heroes.
James added: “This is the biggest football session I’ve ever been involved in! What McDonald’s is doing is incredible and something that should be applauded.
“Football is all about fun and these sessions allow children to play football without any expectations or pressures on them,”
Farke announced the injury blow at his weekly press conference yesterday lunchtime but hopes James will be fit when Leeds take on Burnley on September 14.
Farke said: “We are without Dan, who has a hamstring problem. It’s a minor injury. He also won’t travel to the Welsh squad so he can’t be involved.
“I hope to have him back for the Burnley game but he will definitely miss out on this game and also the international game.”
Bellamy is already without Bournemouth attacker David Brooks, who is recovering from a dislocated shoulder sustained in last May’s Championship play-off final while on loan at Southampton.
Ipswich pair Wes Burns and Nathan Broadhead are also sidelined with hamstring injuries.
All four attackers – James, Brooks, Burns and Broadhead – will sit out Bellamy’s first matches in charge since he replaced Robert Page as manager in July.
Wales host Turkey in Cardiff on September 6 followed by a trip to Montenegro three days later.
McDonald’s Fun Football ambassador Dan James took part in the largest ever Fun Football session to celebrate the milestone of 500,000 children benefitting from the programme across the UK.
Sign up to a free session near you at: https://www.mcdonalds.com/gb/en-gb/football.html
