While Southampton's promotion rivals in the Championship prepare for another second tier test this weekend, the Saints have a trip to Wembley on the calendar.
Indeed, Tonda Eckert - away from catapulting the South Coast side into the promotion reckoning in league action - has also allowed Southampton to dream in the FA Cup this season.
After shocking Arsenal last time out in the competition at St. Mary's, the promotion chasers now have Manchester City next in their sights, as they prepare to relive their 1976 heroics in getting to an unexpected FA Cup final.
It is far fetched, with Eckert frustratingly having to deal with some suspensions, heading into the one-off contest at Wembley.
Eckert will have to make some changes
Eckert would love to be able to select the likes of Flynn Downes for the tense game to follow in the capital, but the ex-Swansea City midfielder - who very rarely lets a big occasion get the better of him - has been handed a late banning order in the build-up to this semi-final showdown.
Charged with a violent conduct order, after clashing with a Swans player during the Saints' recent 2-1 win in Wales, he will now be unavailable for selection against the intimdating prospect of Pep Guardiola and Co.
Hopefully, the likes of Shea Charles and Caspar Jander can step up in the holding midfield positions, in his absence, with Charles, in particular, no doubt raring to go, as he tries to get the better of his ex-employers.
Another frustrating suspension will see Ryan Manning miss the much-talked-about clash, with the everpresent Saints defender picking up a yellow card against Arsenal, when clattering into boy wonder, Max Dowman.
With seven goals and five assists next to his name this season in league action, he will be a disappointing miss, but it could prove to be a great chance for the forgotten Welington to impress in the left-back spot.
He will likely start, with his last start coming all the way back in February, with the Brazilian's debut campaign in England, extremely stop-start.
Rumours are even circulating that Southampton will get rid of the Sao Paolo born defender, when the summer rolls around, with the South American's stay on the South Coast potentially short-lived.
Southampton could cash in on Welington
It is a strange set of circumstances that a player who could go on to star and upset the Premier League leaders might also be offloaded when the off-season kicks in.
Yet, that is the narrative currently unfolding, with Wellington starting more out of necessity, rather than his sparkling first team form, with reports from Brazil suggesting that Welington could return to home soil very soon.
Indeed, the reports suggest that the reserve full-back might be available for a summer transfer at the £2.6m range, with Internacional, Flamengo, and Palmeiras all keen on a deal.
He would do his hopes of a summer transfer no harm if he were to excel against the Premier League giants, but it will be a very tough test for the 5-foot-7 defender to come in from the cold and shine against the might of Guardiola's opponents.
While Southampton has struck instant gold in recent transfer markets with the acquisitions of Leo Scienza and Finn Azaz, it's becoming clearer by the day that Welington was a misfire, rather than a stroke of genius from South America, as an exit route becomes apparent.
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