It's hard to believe that more than six months have passed since Leeds United's painful 3-3 draw against Cardiff City at Elland Road.
The Bluebirds came back from three goals down that day - scoring an 88th-minute equaliser despite being down to 10 men - so Marcelo Bielsa’s men, who are top of the Championship, will be hoping to exact revenge when they travel to South Wales for the return fixture on Sunday.
It will not be easy for the Whites to pick up where they left off after three months away due to the Coronavirus pandemic. But as things stand, Leeds are on course to make a Premier League return after 16 years in exile.
However, they will go to south Wales without one of their most influential players: Pablo Hernandez.
Bielsa confirmed in his pre-match press conference that the Spanish playmaker would be missing, alongside forward Jean-Kevin Augustin.
Hernandez has been at his creative and influential best again this season - he has scored six goals and provided a further six assists in his 28 Championship appearances.
His absence creates a conundrum, one that isn't easy to solve: who in the Leeds squad can replace the Spanish star?
The answer is Tyler Roberts, especially given the form he was in before the hiatus.
The Wales international, who signed from West Bromwich Albion for £2.5 million in January 2018, can be the creative force Leeds require as they aim to get over the second tier's finishing line.
Only this week, teammate Adam Forshaw named Roberts when he was asked by the Leeds That podcast about which players had impressed the most upon the resumption of training.
The midfielder said: “Condition-wise, Tyler Roberts looks in great nick, great shape.
“I spoke to Stu Dallas and I’d seen Tyler getting into his car and he looked lean and well bubbly. Stu said he’s been so sharp in training.”
There is a school of thought which suggests the 21-year-old should have been given more chances by Bielsa due to the fact that his speed can unlock defences.
Certainly, Cardiff’s defensive record is good, so Leeds will need someone of Roberts’ guile and skill to find a way through in Hernandez’s absence.
Injuries, though, have hampered Roberts’ career at Elland Road – he did not make his debut until seven months after signing for the club.
In 28 Championship games last season, Roberts scored three times and contributed five assists.
This term, another impacted by fitness issues, he has only three goals to his name, but two came against Hull City in February.
There is no doubting Roberts' attacking instincts and they could prove key against Cardiff, both in terms of himself threatening goal and creating chances for his teammates.
Patrick Bamford has remained Bielsa’s first-choice forward this season, much to the chagrin of some Leeds supporters.
And he should welcome Roberts' inclusion as Hernandez’s replacement, thanks to the Wales international's willingness to create chances and assist in build-up play.
Bielsa thinks Hernandez will return to training next week, but even if he is selected for Leeds’ second game of the restart, at Elland Road against Fulham, there surely has to be space in the side for a player of Roberts’ talents.
