'You do get frustrated' - Second Leeds United star after Jaka Bijol speaks out on lack of minutes

Leeds United winger Daniel James has been left frustrated at a lack of minutes but admits with the team doing well he just needs to be ready when needed.

James started his first Premier League game of the season at Bournemouth late last month and looked sharp, darting beyond defenders and linking up well with Harry Wilson. But after a James Trafford mistake Leeds lost 2-0 and the winger was substituted on 64 minutes.

Daniel Farke returned to a system without natural wide men against Tottenham last weekend and it proved a winning formula, with James an unused substitute. He joined up with Wales teammates this week having played just 118 minutes of Premier League football.

"I think we've had a great start," he told the Leeds United website. "I think it was very important for us to get a result coming to this international break. I thought we were really good, put on a great performance.

“But yeah, as a player, obviously, I can't lie, obviously you do get frustrated not playing, but you have to give your all for the team, because ultimately it's a team game. Even if you're not getting as many minutes as you want, you want to perform and train every day, push players that are starting as well.”

James hasn’t been helped by a couple of fitness issues this season. The speedy winger missed a couple of weeks with a back problem which broke up his ability to make an impact on boss Farke in training.

"I played against Bournemouth, a couple of weeks ago,” he added. “I felt really good, but ultimately it's always down to the manager of what team he wants to set up in.

“But I've just got to be ready every time, and I feel like I am. I've got myself in a good place to whenever I'm called upon, that I feel ready. And I feel really good coming to this camp."

Daniel James echoes Leeds United teammate frustration

James is not the first player to express frustration at not playing regularly, with Farke having to make difficult selection decisions each week. Leeds have got a virtually clean bill of health and good squad depth with competition for places fierce.

Speaking while away on international duty with Slovenia, centre-back Jaka Bijol also admitted he’s been disappointed to fall out the starting line-up, having been virtually ever-present last season. His place has been taken by summer arrival Nico Elvedi.

“The situation is a bit different than last season,” he told Slovenian outlet 24ur.com. “I'm sure I've shown enough this year, so I'm a little disappointed with the whole thing. But that's how it is, you have to accept it.

“Every footballer who doesn't play is unhappy. These are facts and I would be lying if I said anything different. On the other hand, I know that the club is doing well. I'm also happy about that, because this is an exceptional club with exceptional fans who deserve good results.”