FUN & JAMES

Dan hopes Dragons can lift his Gdansk gloom

FEAR US: James believes Wales will be a match for any team at the Euros

DANIEL JAMES believes another barnstorming Euro ride with Wales can ease his Europa League heartache.

The winger suffered shootout agony

(below, with keeper David De Gea)

when Manchester United lost to Villarreal last month in Gdansk.

“In football you just have to get back up and get on with it,” said James, who scored his penalty in the Gdansk final shootout only for United to lose 11-10.

“Thankfully we don’t have to wait until next season to do that and we can go into the Euros and a different environment and look forward to getting back out on the pitch which is what we all want as players.”

There is growing confidence that Wales can emulate the class of 2016.

Five years ago, Chris Coleman led the Dragons to the semifinals in their first appearance as qualifiers at the

Euros.

And James insisted hopes were building that another extended run could be in the offing given the talent at their disposal. With experienced veterans Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey still going strong and talents like David Brooks having finally regained fitness, James maintained they have the firepower to frighten anyone.

He said: “It’s one of the first times everyone has been in the squad. “David and Aaron have had injuries over the past two years but when they have come into the squad they have been unbelievable.

“For us it’s just brilliant that everyone is involved.

“I know the Euros was supposed to be last summer and everyone was gutted but it’s great for the players who are now all fit and we have a full squad this time and we’re all raring to go. “We will definitely be feared. Whoever is put on the pitch attacking-wise, we have a great group.”

Wales have a difficult looking group with Italy coming into this on a 27-match unbeaten streak and Turkey and Switzerland fancying their chances.