Dan James will feature for Leeds United’s under-21s this evening as the young Whites get their season up and running against Derby County. The Welshman will sit out of Leeds’ Premier League opener against Wolves this weekend as he completes the three-match suspension he received for being sent off against Chelsea at Elland Road in May.
However, he has been given the go ahead to feature for Michael Skubala’s youth side at Pride Park as they kick off their Premier League 2 Division 2 campaign. James will start against the Rams and he’ll look to use the game to pick up match fitness ahead of the first-team’s trip to Southampton next weekend.
Marsch has revealed James has asked to play in the game and it seems that request went down well at Thorp Arch.
TAKE PART: Squad concerns, new arrivals, Jesse Marsch approval - 'The Big Leeds United Forum'
“Dan James, if we can remember, is suspended one more match,” Marsch told said during his pre-match press conference on Thursday afternoon. "So he will be out this weekend.
“He will be playing 90 minutes tomorrow night in the 21s match. That was by his request, so I think that's incredible, really good professionalism from him to know that getting 90 minutes is good for him.”
This evening’s clash against the Rams will be the first opportunity new U21s boss Skubala has to see his side in action after joining the club last week and he’ll be keen to see them start the new season quickly. Leeds were relegated from the top tier of youth football last season and they will be keen to make their stay in the second tier a short one.
Of course, success isn’t exclusively measured by on-field results in youth football, and over the last couple of years, the path between the under-21s and the first-team has been well-trodden. The likes of Pascal Struijk, Joe Gelhardt, Sam Greenwood and Crysencio Summerville will all be in Marsch’s squad on Saturday having progressed through the youth ranks and Skubala’s job is to ensure that more do the same this season.
Leeds aren’t short of talent at that level, either. Archie Gray could be involved tonight after shining on the club’s recent trip to Australia, while Sonny Perkins and Darko Gyabi are available and could make their first competitive appearance in the Whites’ youth set-up.
Elsewhere, the likes of Sean McGurk, Leo Hjelde and Amari Miller all have aspirations of making the step up permanently in time, too, and following in the footsteps of those who have gone before them. Marsch has shown he is more than willing to hand chances out to those youngsters who are deemed worthy and tonight will be the first chance they get to catch his eye on the field this season.
The clash at Pride Park kicks off at 7pm and Leeds Live will be in attendance to provide live coverage.
READ NEXT:
Leeds United committed to long-term plan as they enter Premier League season with settled squad
Jesse Marsch details Dani van den Heuvel recovery after Leeds United star's 'worrying' car crash
Leeds United's winners and losers of pre-season including Bamford, Klich and Firpo
Jesse Marsch provides Leeds United injury latest as Liam Cooper ruled out of Wolves clash
Every word Leeds United's Jesse Marsch said on injuries, transfer movement and Patrick Bamford
