Wales boss Rob Page is determined to help Daniel James rebuild his faltering career.
Former Manchester United Winger James has returned to Old Trafford as part of a team. Fulham The side that wants to make a shock in the quarterfinals of the FA Cup on Sunday.
James was initially impressed at United after a £15m move from Swansea in 2019 before moving on to United. Leeds a little over two years later.
Leeds paid £25m for James, but after scoring just four goals in 40 appearances, he joined Fulham on loan this season where his chances fell again due to limited playing time.
Page, who recruited James for the opening Euro 2024 qualifiers against Croatia and Latvia this week, said: “DJ went there to play and finds it frustrating not to get the minutes he wanted.
“But DJ still has the same talent and flair when he goes to Man United.
“It’s now my job and my team’s job to get him to the levels he’s shown before because we know we have great value there with his speed.”
James has made just three Premier League starts for Fulham since moving to Craven Cottage in early September.
Leeds have allowed James to play in the FA Cup and will face United manager Eric Ramsay, who was appointed to the Wales coaching staff earlier this month, at Old Trafford.
The highly rated Ramsay is United’s set-piece coach and Page believes working with James on the Wales training ground will greatly benefit the 25-year-old.
“All players need an arm around them and are managed differently,” Page said.
“DJ is a student of the game and n. degree going, the way he looks back on his performances is great.
Eric is one of the best youth development coaches in the UK and will be really valuable to him. He’s just reviewing his clips during training and trying to change a few things.
Entering a new era without record-scorer Gareth Bale, Wales will start their Euro 2024 qualifiers in Croatia on Saturday and host Latvia in Cardiff three days later.
James played a recurring role in the Wales squad and started 34 back-to-back competitive matches before being taken to the bench for a World Cup defeat against Iran in November.
Page said: “DJ’s success for us is playing on the wide left, so we’re going to get him back into playing football and in the right mood.
“I spoke to him last week and I spoke really positively about him after our meeting.
He’s disappointed that he didn’t play, of course he does. But he is ready for this camp and looking forward to going.”