Daniel James is an injury doubt for Leeds United’s Carabao Cup third-round trip to Chelsea on Wednesday night, with manager Daniel Farke confirming the winger reported back and hamstring problems in the warm-up at Brighton.
James was an unused substitute in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at the Amex, and the reason has now been explained. The scans, at least, came back clear.
The Daniel James injury verdict from Daniel Farke
“Joe Rodon is obviously a long-term injury,” Farke told reporters on Tuesday, in quotes carried by the Yorkshire Evening Post. “A little question mark behind Daniel James, he reported in the warm-up at Brighton some issues with his back and hamstring.
“The scan results were good, no new injury. He just had an individual session today which was okay. We have two more sessions, one this afternoon and a light session tomorrow morning.
“If he comes through this then he’s available. Little question mark but carefully optimistic.”
Why it matters at Stamford Bridge
James endured a 2025/26 campaign wrecked by injury and had recently spoken about feeling close to his physical best again, so a clean scan is the line that counts here. Farke is already without Rodon, whose hamstring problem the YEP report could keep him out for up to 10 weeks.
Rotation is coming at Stamford Bridge regardless. Melvin Bard and Jean-Matteo Bahoya are both still waiting on their Leeds debuts after deadline-day moves, while Ilia Gruev is in line for his first appearance since April. Gabriel Gudmundsson, back to 90 minutes at Brighton after a muscle injury, may be protected.
Leeds go to Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea unbeaten in all four games this season. Our Leeds United team news for the Chelsea tie has the rest.
