WALES star Joe Ledley says the nation will owe a great debt to manager Chris Coleman if he can end the long wait for qualification for a major tournament.

Coleman, who took over following the death of previous boss Gary Speed in 2011, was under pressure following a poor start to his reign.

There were calls for the former Fulham manager’s head after the 6-1 thrashing in Serbia less than two years ago.

But, as Wales prepare to host Belgium at the Cardiff City Stadium on Friday night, he and the whole squad are riding the crest of a wave with a place at Euro 2016 within their grasp.

Coleman’s boys are below the Belgian superstars on points difference only and Ledley believes they can qualify for a first major tournament since the 1958 World Cup.

“The way he took over, the circumstances were awful and it was always going to take us a long time to get back to where we were,” said Ledley of his manager.

“We were winning games and performing well and after Speedo things didn’t look promising but we always believed in the gaffer.

“The performances and the results have come and that’s why we’re ranked as high as we have been in the world (21st).

“Without him I don’t think we’d be where we are now,” he added.

“We have a lot of Premier League players and a lot of ability in the squad and I don’t think we’ll get a better opportunity that this, especially with the age we’re all at.

“Hopefully this is our time – we just need to keep our heads down and keep working and the points will come.

“It’s not about performance now, it’s about points.”

Ledley admits that Chelsea ace Eden Hazard is the main threat for Belgian but he knows there are dangers everywhere in the side ranked second in the world.

“I think Hazard is the biggest threat,” said the Crystal Palace midfielder.

“He’s the Premier League player of the year so he will be their stand-out player but it’s not just him.

“They’ve got a lot of good players who can hurt you and score goals.

“They’re strong together and they work well as a unit. It’s going to be hard for us to break down.

“We know how difficult it will be but we will have to be patient and try and get on the counter-attack.

“We're in a good position and we want to get a result to kick on; it won't be as easy as that but we have a game-plan and hopefully we can use it to get the points.”