Sheffield United and Burnley will have a firm eye on Dan James news at Leeds United | OneFootball

Dan James was forced off with an injury issue after his goal in Leeds United's crucial 1-0 win over Middlesbrough

The battle at the top of the Championship table took another twist on Tuesday night as Leeds United regained top spot from Burnley and Sheffield United.

However, news of an injury to Dan James will have caught the attention of both of the Whites’ promotion rivals given there are now just two points separating the three clubs.

The winger has picked up a hamstring issue that could see him miss key games for the club in their bid to return to the Premier League, which would be a significant boost for both the Blades and the Lancashire outfit.

This will be a huge blow for Daniel Farke's side, with the Welshman proving a crucial figure this season in a tense promotion battle that promises to go to the wire.

Sheffield United's loss to Millwall saw them fall out of the top two, and Burnley also dropped points away to Derby County, so with the pressure mounting on all three teams, any kind of edge like player fitness to key stars could be what separates the clubs at the end of the regular campaign.

The 27-year-old has contributed 12 goals and nine assists in the Championship, a combined figure only matched by Joel Piroe in the entire Leeds squad, the kind of impact player that can be all the difference in these huge final games.

Dan James’ importance to Leeds

James has started 30 league games so far this season, coming off the bench on another five occasions.

In the six games that the forward has missed in their entirety, Leeds have won two, drawn two and lost two.

With only five games remaining, if he were to miss all five and the club kept a similar record, then it’s very easy to imagine them coming third in the table based on Sheffield United and Burnley’s recent form.

James is so crucial because he is both a goal scorer and creator, so losing him puts a big burden on the rest of the attackers in the squad to make up for his absence, with James contributing an impressive combination of 3.43 shots and 3.3 shot-creating actions per 90, per stats from Fbref.

Farke’s side have one saving grace for these final weeks and that is the upcoming clash between their two rivals on Monday 21 April at Turf Moor.

This will guarantee at least one of the teams drop points, opening the door for Leeds to open up a minor gap, but losing James will make it more difficult for them to capitalise.

Speaking after the 1-0 win over Middlesbrough on Tuesday night, the German coach claimed it’s unlikely he will feature this weekend against Preston North End, but did hint that a return after that clash could be on the cards.

"James had problems with his hamstring,” said Farke, via Beren Cross on Twitter.

“Took him off not to risk anything, but it could be that the turnaround is too quick for Saturday.

“Does not look too good as it stands."

It was James’ second minute strike that sealed a crucial three points for Leeds at the Riverside, putting a very fine point on how important he is to the team as he went off in the 73rd minute.

Leeds need all hands on deck to get over the line without James

Leeds will need players to step up in James’ absence if he is to be out for any of their remaining games.

Joel Piroe’s struggles in front of goal have coincided with the club losing ground to their rivals in recent weeks, and he must put an end to his current drought, failing to score the Yorkshire outfit’s last seven games now.

Wilfried Gnonto also has to improve, having been underwhelming in the second half of the season.

His goal against Swansea City was a positive sign, but he’s not been able to contribute in his next two appearances, albeit only coming off the bench against Boro.

This could be a great chance for someone like Patrick Bamford to step up and take on some of the goal-scoring burden, with the experienced forward likely heading for the exit door this summer.

While Sheffield United and Burnley need to make up ground on Leeds, James' absence will make their job that bit easier in a promotion race where the finest of margins will prove decisive.

The difference between first and third is just two points, and it could easily finish that way in the coming weeks, even with second set to play third in under two weeks.

Whatever Farke’s solution will be to get the team firing reliably in front of goal for the final five games, Burnley and Sheffield United will be watching closely in the hopes James remains on the sidelines.