Leeds seek Uefa solace

Leeds' young squad have yet to win a trophy

BBC Sport Online's Paul Fletcher analyses Leeds United's chances of winning the Uefa Cup, which has resumed after the winter break.

Fourth round and quarter-final ties

Leeds United manager David O'Leary has never been shy about telling the world how much he loves being involved in European competition.

He discussed at length last season's Champions League adventure in his recently published book 'Leeds United on Trial'.

And the 43-year-old has maintained all season that his target is to qualify for Europe next season.

Leeds are currently nine points adrift of qualifying for the Europe's elite competition via the Premier League.

The Yorkshire club have taken just four points from the last 15 possible and their title hopes have been scuppered by injury and suspension.

And United are out of the FA Cup - defeated by Division Two Cardiff.

O'Leary has had little to smile about recently

Barring a serious improvement in league form Leeds need to win the Uefa Cup - and acquire some badly needed silverware.

The Leeds board have bankrolled O'Leary to the tune of more than £90m and are anxious to see a return on their investment.

It is time for a club that wants to be among Europe's elite to prove their worth - and to do that they need to win trophies.

Leeds - the only English team left in the competition - play Dutch club PSV Eindhoven in the fourth round of the Uefa Cup and O'Leary is hoping a change of scene brings a change of fortune.

Alan Smith, Lee Bowyer and Danny Mills are all serving long Premier League suspensions but can play in Europe - bringing some badly needed respite to the weekly selection problems that plague the Leeds manager.

In this season's Uefa Cup Leeds have overcome Maritimo, Troyes and Grasshoppers Zurich without ever really playing at their best and they are among the bookies favourites to lift the trophy.

Testing opposition

After defeating the likes of Roma, Lazio, Deportivo La Coruna and AC Milan in recent seasons Leeds have shown they have the ability to compete - and beat - Europe's best.

But, though the Uefa Cup is now very much the poor relation of European club competition, Leeds path to glory will not be easy.

AC Milan, who beat Roda 1-0 in the first leg of fourth round, are the favourites and Inter, drawn against AEK Athens, are also in the last 16.

Valencia - who knocked Leeds out of last season's Champions League at the semi-final stage - took a 3-0 first leg lead over Swiss minnows Servette.

Leeds have a squad packed with quality players

And Borussia Dortmund - top of the German Bundesliga - will also be confident of success.

And Leeds could also find themselves pitted against Glasgow Rangers in match sure to be billed as 'Battle of Britain'.

If Rangers overcome Feyenoord and Leeds beat PSV the two teams will meet in the quarter-finals as a consequence of the pre-draw system.

Winning in Europe is all about triumph against adversity and O'Leary is hoping his players can respond to the recent turbulent months.

"We have had a tough time and the spirit has been dented a little," said the Leeds boss.

"But generally that spirit is wonderful and has to go on the pitch and take us through the tough times ahead."

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Full draw

Fourth round

AC Milan v Roda JC

Lille v Borussia Dortmund

Valencia v Servette

PSV Eindhoven v Leeds

Lyon v Slovan Liberec

Hapoel Tel Aviv v Parma

Inter Milan v AEK Athens

Rangers v Feyenoord

Quarter-finals

Hapoel Tel Aviv or Parma v AC Milan or Roda JC

Inter or AEK Athens v Valencia or Servette

PSV Eindhoven or Leeds v Rangers or Feyenoord

Lyon or Slovan Liberec v Lille or Borussia Dortmund

Fourth round matches to be played on 21 and 28 February; quarter-finals on 14 and 21 March 2002.