Leeds United resume hostilities with Spartak Moscow in the UEFA Cup third round tonight for the most searching examination of David O'Leary's tenure.

O'Leary never tires of proclaiming that his side are too "young and naive" to challenge for honours. Now the task of overcoming a 2-1 deficit promises to make or break his claims.

Spartak provided compelling evidence in the rearranged first leg in Sofia that they can be as cold and calculating on the pitch as they are off it. Furthermore Spartak have had the best part of a week in England to acclimatise, including a 5-1 defeat of Telford in a specially convened friendly at their Lilleshall base on Monday. "This will be our biggest test so far," O'Leary admits. That Spartak were so impressive in Bulgaria undermines the theory that they do not travel well, but this will be a more adventurous Leeds than that which surrendered the lead given by Harry Kewell's early goal seven days ago. Whereas O'Leary deployed a lone striker at the Georgi Asparukhov Stadium, he will revert to two in attack with either Alan Smith or Darren Huckerby alongside Michael Bridges. However, Stephen McPhail is doubtful with an ankle injury and David Batty is still troubled by a calf problem.

The allegations of dirty tricks that were flying between both camps before the first leg have been replaced by a clenched-teeth return to dignity this week, but the stench of acrimony hangs thick in the air.

Leeds have already filed an official complaint to UEFA. Now, however, it is time for the football to do the talking.