Leeds United may have had something of a slight stutter in the Premier League of late, but the 2025-26 season could yet be a memorable one for Daniel Farke's side.
The Whites are winless in their last four league games, although that run does include highly impressive draws at Chelsea and Aston Villa.
READ MORE: Joe Rodon Backs Ethan Ampadu to Thrive as Wales Captain After Ben Davies Blow
But - having won at Derby County and Birmingham City in the earlier rounds - they cruised to a 3-0 win over Championship Norwich City last time out to book their place in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup for the first time since the 2002-03 campaign.
Crucially, from a Wales perspective, Leeds' Red Dragons - two in particular - are in fine form heading into this month's World Cup play-offs.
Ethan Ampadu has started all 26 league games he has been available for this season, missing just three due to a combination of injury and suspension.
READ MORE: Ethan Ampadu Adds Dose Of Reality After Emotional Reaction To Wales’ Near Miss
And his efforts this term have played an enormous role in ensuring Leeds' survival hopes remain firmly in the club's own hands.
The versatile midfielder has made 63 tackles this season, more than any other Leeds player in the 2025-26 Premier League campaign to date.
His tally of 36 interceptions, 65.6% aerial duel win rate and 138 possessions won, are also the most in the Whites' ranks.
Leeds manager Farke is certainly in no doubt about how influential a player Ampadu is for club and country.
READ MORE: Joe Rodon Insists Wales Can Stay Afloat Despite Loss Of “Anchor” Ethan Ampadu
"What he does in terms of personality and leadership is top class,” says Farke.
“For me, he's been one of the best players in this position in this league."
Similar applies to Joe Rodon, who has been a monumental figure this term.
Like Ampadu, central defender Rodon has started all 27 league games when he has been fit - missing just two in early January due to an ankle injury.
Rodon has played 2,367 league minutes this season, more than any other Leeds player. His 18 blocks and 69.7% ground duel win rate are both the most within the Whites' squad.
Ampadu and Rodon have been rocks for Wales since making their senior international debuts in 2017 and 2019 respectively - amassing 117 caps between them.
READ MORE: The Rival To Joe Rodon has Arrived, Says Wales Boss Craig Bellamy . . . Cardiff City’s Dylan Lawlor
Both are guaranteed starters when it comes to the semi-final contest with Bosnia and Herzegovina at Cardiff City Stadium on March 26, and the same will apply in the final against Italy or Northern Ireland five days later, should Craig Bellamy's men progress.
Speaking on The Overlap, the legendary Gareth Bale recently praised John Toshack for the way the Wales icon brought through a host of young talented players during his second stint as manager of his country between 2004 and 2010.
Thanks to similar foresight from another former Wales boss, Chris Coleman, Bellamy himself is now blessed with a healthy spread of experienced options - something that half centurions Ampadu and Rodon typify.
READ MORE: Wales Fans Will Choose Which Stadium Hosts Portugal and Ronaldo, Insists Craig Bellamy
Following two months on the sidelines due to a hamstring injury, Dan James is also firmly on the comeback trail.
The winger has made five appearances across all competitions since returning to action in early February and made his first start in more than three months in his side's triumph over Norwich last weekend.
As for Karl Darlow, he sat out the win against the Canaries but the Wales goalkeeper has started each of his side's last eight league fixtures.
The Welsh quartet are all likely to be heavily involved as Wales look to book their place at this summer's global showpiece in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
And with so much still at stake as far as matters at Elland Road are concerned, in addition to having a last eight FA Cup tie at West Ham United to look forward to, Leeds' Welsh contingent are in for the biggest crunch period of their careers to date.
