Giggs wants Dan to fire up Dragons

DAN JAMES has been urged by Ryan Giggs to seize his opportunity to impress tonight.

Wales boss Giggs will look to James to inspire a team without key duo Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey for the friendly against England.

“It’s up to DJ to step up and make sure when he does get the chance he takes it,” said Giggs.

Manchester United winger James has started both Dragons’ games this season, last month’s wins against Finland and Bulgaria.

But he has not had much game time with United, starting just twice and being subbed early both times.

“If he’s not been playing it gives him the opportunity to get minutes on the pitch,” added Giggs.

“When he was with us last time he was excellent in both games. He hadn’t played a lot of games but he looked really sharp.

“He has that speed that always keeps the opposition interested.

“He has that directness, as he showed in our last games.

“He made the goal in the first game and was brilliant for us.

“Dan has friends here, ex-team-mates and other friends in the squad. He always enjoys coming away and training and the atmosphere.”

Giggs was at Old Trafford to see Tottenham stun United 6-1 on Sunday.

James (above) was not involved because of illness but Giggs believes the £15million signing from Swansea last year is pushing to play.

Giggs added: “He played against Brighton in midweek and just felt something before the game and afterwards it wiped him out. He had a couple of days where he has been off his feet and had a bit of a bug.

“That was the reason. But he has trained the last couple of days.”

After the England fixture, Wales have Nations League trips to the Republic of Ireland on Sunday and Bulgaria on Wednesday.

Ramsey will be absent tonight because of coronavirus restrictions at his Italian club Juventus, but should be available for the Ireland and Bulgaria games.

With Bale not playing, Tottenham’s Ben Davies is favourite to be skipper against England.

“It would an incredible honour and amazing to lead Wales out,” said the defender.

“We know it is going to be a tough game but we have to show we are capable of competing at this level.”