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Phil Blanche

'I always think of him' - Leeds United winger Daniel James owes his Wales career to late father Kevan

Daniel James says he owes his World Cup place to his late father Kevan and will be thinking about him when Wales start their tournament on Monday. James' father Kevan died suddenly at the age of 60 in May 2019, just as the winger was on the verge of joining Manchester United from Swansea in a £15million transfer.

"It's down to him that I'm playing here today," said James, whose father came from Aberdare in the Cynon Valley. "Whenever I pull that Wales shirt on I always think of him.

"He took me to north Wales camp when I was 12 years old. He emailed the person there to say I was eligible to play for Wales. I got picked up at Swansea when I was 15 playing for Wales against Poland. I wouldn't have played that game, and may not have been at Swansea and end up going to a World Cup but for him.

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