BYERS BACKS JAMES TO RISE ABOVE ABUSE

DANIEL JAMES will dodge any flak flying at Leeds this week as easily as he skips away from lunging tackles, according to his Swansea pal George Byers.

James (above) is set to return to Elland Road on Wednesday, the club where he spent nervous hours on transfer deadline day waiting for a call that never came.

The Swans went off the idea at the 11th hour – refusing to complete a £5million deal with the Championship high-flyers.

It was hardly James’s fault the move collapsed, but that did not stop Leeds fans claiming the Wales winger should have kicked up more of a fuss rather than simply head back down the M1.

But Byers – whose first goal for the Swans was enough to beat Millwall and keep the club just six points off the play-off places – reckons his mate can cope.

“Dan’s a player who can often get stick from other fans because he is so effective,” said Byers.

“They will probably do everything they can to get in his head, but he’s a strong lad and I’m sure he’ll deal with it.

“You get a bit of grief in every game you go into. It doesn’t matter if it’s Leeds or whoever. You expect that as a footballer. But it’s about staying strong and concentrating on the game.”

Millwall remain just four points above the drop zone and boss

Neil Harris said: “Four or five times, when we tried to force a ball through into a forward runner, we didn’t execute the pass well enough.

“That’s the difference at this level. You have to make those passes.”