Wales will reap the benefits this month after Dan James fought to survive in the “deep end” at Manchester United, according to Rob Page.
United ace James started his ninth Premier League game this term against West Ham last weekend.
The winger, 23, who joined United for £15million in June 2019 from Swansea, has vindicated his decision to stay in January and fight for his future.
He is now in line to add to his 18 international caps when Wales visit Belgium on Wednesday in their opening World Cup qualifier.
Dragons caretaker Page, in control while boss Ryan Giggs remains on leave, said: “DJ played in the past even without playing minutes at club level.
“But it is beneficial for us if you have players coming in who are playing week in, week out.
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“He has now got himself back into the team and worked really hard to get back into the team.
“He looks a threat every time he plays.
“I think it was always going to be the case with DJ he went from Swansea playing Championship football to being thrown in the deep end.
“He has gone into a huge club in Man United and impressed rightly so from the start.
“But with a young player you are going to get levels of inconsistency and you have to manage that.
“I think Man United have done that now.
“At the right time they have pulled him out.
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“There was speculation and talk in January if he was going to move on but he decided not to because he saw the impact he had when he went there first and knew that form would come back.
“That is what you have to do with young players because they can show levels of inconsistency.
“He is back playing football at the top level and does not look out of place whatsoever.
“It is great for us.”
Wales will look to James and skipper Gareth Bale on the flanks with David Brooks out with an ankle injury.
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But the Bournemouth attacker, named Wales player of the year in 2019, is expected to be back fit for the Euros.
“David Brooks is a talent,” added Page.
“He can win you games, you want players like that involved in the squad.
“It is frustrating again for him that he has picked up an injury and he has had a couple of late.
“It is difficult for him but he will get over it.
“We are talking weeks not months.
“So that is great news for us and hopefully if he recovers well we think then he will be ready for the Euros.”
Giggs is on ‘special leave’ following his November 1 arrest on suspicion of assaulting his on-off girlfriend.
Giggs, whose bail from Greater Manchester Police was extended until May 1, is waiting to learn if there is a case to answer, with his file still with the CPS.
Giggs, 47, denies the allegations.
