Following the international break, and ahead of the Emirates FA Cup victory over West Ham United, a large number of first team players made a surprise appearance at one of the Leeds United Academy's Under-8s training sessions.

The group consisted of Sebastiaan Bornauw, Illan Meslier, Wilfried Gnonto, Joel Piroe, Ilia Gruev, Anton Stach, James Justin, Alex Cairns, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Sam Byram, Sean Longstaff, Facundo Bounnonote, Lucas Perri, Pascal Struijk, Jayden Bogle and Lukas Nmecha.

Following the completion of one of the first training sessions back after international duty, the players headed down to the indoor pitch to make an unexpected appearance at the academy's event.

All of the first-teamers in attendance evenly distributed themselves across the three small-sided matches, many taking to different positions and roles than they are used to and facing off against one another.

Following the completion of the games, the group got together for some photos and time away from the intensity of the matches to chat as they answered plenty of the youngsters' burning questions.

After the session, goalkeeper Alex Cairns said: "A lot of the first team have come down to see the Academy tonight, I say we came to watch, we all came to play as well. There was loads of energy.

"It's very close to my heart this Academy, so seeing the kids there enjoying themselves, seeing the first team lads integrate with them with smiles on the face. They're looking at an England international there in Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and Anton Stach is a German international.

"It's was just a really, really special night. It's just special for us because they're coming for our positions and hopefully they keep this club progressing and progressing for years to come."