Leeds United's domestic cup exploits earlier this season ended in penalty shoot-out disappointment, with League One Hull City triumphing from 12 yards at Elland Road.
That is unlikely to deter Marcelo Bielsa who may well opt to blood some of his younger players in this weekend's FA Cup tie with Crawley Town.
Bielsa has included a number of the standout under-23s in his matchday squads so far this season, including Ollie Casey, Charlie Cresswell, Niall Huggins and Jack Jenkins, but none have managed to make their Premier League debuts aside from 20-year-old Leif Davis.
The Third Round draw presents Leeds with a unique opportunity to reward some of the more talented teenagers with a taste of senior football, even if it is against fourth tier opposition.
LeedsLive takes a look at which members of Mark Jackson's under-23 squad are deserving of the call-up.
Charlie Cresswell
18-year-old centre-back Charlie Cresswell was promoted to the first team for the Carabao Cup Second Round clash with Hull City earlier in the season and featured for the entire 90 minutes.
It was a difficult evening for him as Malik Wilks terrorised a junior Leeds defence with his physicality and superior experience from playing in the Football League. That does not mean Cresswell should be overlooked though, as his recent displays for the U-23s have been very impressive, particularly in their last fixture against Fulham.
Having recently signed a new deal, and made the bench for Leeds' trip to Tottenham, Cresswell is firmly in Bielsa's plans.
Sam Greenwood
Arguably the U-23s player of the season so far, Greenwood has been as prolific as he has been hard-working. The youngster began the season in his more natural centre-forward role but has been utilised as a No. 8 in recent weeks, similar to the role Rodrigo plays in the first team.
Since moving from Arsenal, Greenwood's attitude has been admirable and his work ethic exemplary. Even if he does not start in the FA Cup, a place in the matchday squad or even an appearance off the bench would be ample reward for his start to the campaign.
Jack Jenkins
With Pascal Struijk still filling in at centre-back, there may well be an opening in midfield for Jack Jenkins who made the bench against Crystal Palace earlier in the season, and has featured 11 times for the U-23s across all competitions.
The central midfielder is a cool operator, and a good distributor, setting the tempo and keeping moves ticking for Mark Jackson's junior side. Marcelo Bielsa could use Jenkins in reserve as a more defensive-minded midfield presence alongside Pablo Hernandez at Crawley, giving Mateusz Klich and Kalvin Phillips a welcome break.
Niall Huggins
Young Niall Huggins' versatility means he is capable of appearing in a number of positions if he is called upon in the FA Cup. He and Cresswell were added to the first-team bench for the first time this season against Spurs, which followed a number of impressive displays up and down the left flank in Premier League 2.
Able as either a left-back or left-winger, Huggins offers Bielsa an alternative to Ezgjan Alioski or Jack Harrison, although it is likely to be the latter given Leif Davis' probable inclusion in the starting XI.
Honourable mentions also go out to Joe Gelhardt, signed from Wigan Athletic in the summer, and Cody Drameh, added at right-back from Fulham. Both could see themselves included in the travelling party but Marcelo Bielsa will be wary of fielding too many youngsters against a side currently placing sixth in League Two.
It promises to be a good contest following Crawley manager John Yems' latest quotes, and if a handful of U-23s make their FA Cup bows, that will be a welcome bonus.
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