Steve Clarke desperate to finish season strongly

Reading manager Steve Clarke has admitted that he faces a number of selection headaches as he targets a strong finish to their Championship campaign.

Clayton Donaldson's late winner condemned the Royals to a 1-0 defeat against Birmingham City on Wednesday evening, and despite revealing that he is keen to give opportunities to younger players, Clarke will resist the temptation to leave out key men over the next three games.

"It's a difficult problem," the Reading boss told reporters. "I'd like to keep a few youngsters in and around the squad but the game on Saturday is a big game for the league because Brentford have a chance for the playoffs.

"On Tuesday, that could be a big relegation game for Rotherham, and the same in our last game against Derby, with them fighting for a playoff spot.

"I'll have to balance between giving one or two youngsters a chance to play, like I did tonight, or picking a stronger, more established team, but we still want to some win games as well. I want to finish at home on Saturday with a win, for sure."

Reading are currently 19th in the Championship.