FORMER Manchester United star Dan James was left covered in blood after a horror head injury in the Championship play-off final.
The Welshman, 26, suffered a fearsome-looking wound as Leeds lost the crunch Wembley clash 1-0 to Southampton.
Adam Armstrong scored the only goal of the game as Saints sealed an immediate return to the Premier League.
It means Leeds will remain in the Championship for another season after finishing third behind Leicester and Ipswich.
But Daniel Farke was also left sweating over a head injury suffered by James in the second half.
The winger came off the bench as Leeds dominated the ball while failing to find a way past Southampton’s five-man defence.
James almost broke the deadlock when his fearsome effort cracked the underside of the Saints bar.
Yet he was lucky to still be on the pitch at the time, having only minutes earlier knocked heads with Kyle Walker-Peters.
The two men jumped for the ball in a brutal aerial challenge before colliding mid-air.
And it was James who came off far worse as he fell to the floor while clutching his scalp.
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It soon became clear the ace has suffered a bloody gash as medics surrounded him.
They did their best to stem the flow by wrapping James’ head in a thick white bandage.
The player was desperate to avoid any blood getting on his white kit, with protocols dictating a fresh change of attire would be needed.
And in a bid to ensure he would not miss out on any action as Leeds chased a goal, James even lowered his SHORTS while his bloodied head was seen to.
Leeds have now lost four play-off finals and Farke could face scrutiny this summer after missing out on automatic promotion by just six points.
The Elland Road side looked good to bounce back into the top flight.
But they lost three of their last four matches to give Leicester and Ipswich a boost.
As for Southampton, who finished just three points behind Leeds, they will now be hoping to avoid an immediate relegation under Russell Martin.
And the manager has already secured his first signing, with promotion automatically triggering a £20million permanent deal clause in Taylor Harwood-Bellis’ loan from Manchester City.
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