Leeds United are closing in on the appointment of Sam Allardyce, with the veteran manager expected to replace Javi Gracia in the Whites' dugout.
The Elland Road club are struggling big time, with Sunday's 4-1 defeat to Bournemouth pushing them further into relegation trouble.
They have lost four out of the last five games and languish in 17th - one place above the drop zone but only clear of Nottingham Forest on goal difference.
Allardyce is seen by the Leeds hierarchy as a safe pair of hands to help propel the club away from danger.
Make no mistake, Leeds players have under-performed this season but one who has had a fairly successful campaign is Wales star Daniel James, who has spent the term with Fulham on loan.
Allardyce's arrival in Yorkshire could have a bearing on James' future at the club, with the manager's feelings about the former Manchester United star already known.
Back in 2020, Allardyce tried to sign the winger while he was with the Old Trafford club and the manager was trying to keep West Brom up.
The Daily Mail reported at the time that he was an admirer of James, who wasn't getting game-time with the Red Devils.
Ultimately, Allardyce didn't land James on loan and he moved across the Pennines to Elland Road in the summer of 2021.
Cottagers boss Marco Silva praised James recently for his role in his team.
"Definitely, definitely (happy with James)," he said after the win over Everton.
“Not just him, I think him and Harry Wilson had a very good game.
“As I said, our two strikers, they don’t have this profile. They attack more in behind, and in the last few games it’s been a little bit more comfortable for some opposition sides to control the game.
“We have lacked some runs in behind and to punish them a little bit, and of course this game was important and that was the plan.
“Daniel James had a very good game, much better second half than the first.
“And Harry Wilson had a very good game from the first minute to the last.
“They deserve it as they’ve been working so hard on the training ground to get this chance. They got it, and they did well. I’m pleased for them because we’re talking about two great professionals.”
Like at Leeds, James has struggled to nail down a regular starting spot at Craven Cottage and his future remains up in the air. But with Allardyce set to come on board, and should he extend his stay beyond this term, James may well yet have opportunities next season.
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