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Championship
Apr 22, 2015 at 8pm UK
 
Birmingham logo

0-1

FT(HT: 0-0)
Donaldson (83')

Steve Clarke desperate to finish season strongly

Steve Clarke insists that he is unlikely to make major changes to his Reading side in the closing stages of the season following the loss to Birmingham City.

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.

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Clayton Donaldson of Birmingham City celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between AFC Bournemouth and Birmingham City at Goldsands Stadium on April 6, 2015
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Tables header RHS
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3Wrexham26156538201851
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5Barnsley2612684036442
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7Reading2512584036441
8Leyton Orient25115932221038
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10Mansfield TownMansfield2411493228437
11Lincoln CityLincoln269892930-135
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18Bristol Rovers2584132539-1428
19Peterborough UnitedPeterborough2575134146-526
20Northampton TownNorthampton2668122440-1626
21Crawley TownCrawley2456132544-1921
22Shrewsbury TownShrewsbury2555152645-1920
23Cambridge UnitedCambridge2546152445-2118
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