Reading are mathematically safe from relegation and face Brentford, Rotherham and Derby in their three fixtures before the season finishes.

All three sides are fighting for a play-off place or to avoid relegation and Clarke says it wouldn’t be fair to field a youthful side.

Jake Cooper started on Saturday whilst Jack Stacey and Andrija Novakovich came off the bench but the Reading boss believes he can’t use many more than that at once.

“It’s a difficult one,” he said. “I’d like to keep one or two of the youngsters in and around the squad but the game against Brentford at the weekend is a big game for the league.

“It’s the same with Rotherham who are fighting danger whilst Derby are fighting for a play-off place.

“I have to balance between giving one or two youngsters a chance to play and picking a stronger, more established team as I want to finish with a win at home on Saturday and victories in our last two away games.”

Novakovich could again be involved on Saturday as Clarke looks to solve his striker woes after Pavel Pogrebnyak missed the midweek loss to Birmingham City.

The Russian striker isn’t expected to be fit for Saturday and the Reading boss is determined to find a solution to the striking issues that have seen the Royals net just three goals at home in the league since January.

“I’ve got to look at the striking options between now and Saturday,” he said in the aftermath of Wednesday’s defeat to Birmingham. “We want to finish with a home win.

“It’s a tough game at the weekend against Brentford. We’ve got a couple of days to find some goals.”