Savage junior and two former Peterborough United stars expected to be involved for Reading

Midfielder Savage (23) is in line to benefit from some planned changes to the Reading line-up following a disappointing League One defeat at neighbours Oxford United on Wednesday night.

Savage came on as an 84th minute substitute in that game, his 10th appearance off the bench in League One matches this season. He has yet to start when points have been at stake, but he has tarted four cup games.

Charlie Savage on his father and the game

It’s likely Reading skipper Lewis Wing will be rested leaving a midfield slot open. Former Posh stars Jack Marriott and Josh Knight are also expected to be involved. Goal machine Marriott recovered from a knee injury to appear in the last two Reading games, but centre-back Knight has hardly been used since starting a loan spell from Portsmouth.

Reading manager Leam Richardson said: “We do have a couple of niggles from Wednesday and the skipper has been struggling with a problem for a while recently. I’m not rotating players, but there will be changes if needs must.

“There is a lot of noise about the game with Charlie coming up against his dad and Jack and Knighty going back to a former club, but it all adds to the occasion and we are really looking forward to the game.

"If 23 and a bit years ago Robbie Savage was holding Charlie in his arms as a baby and though they would meet as a player and a manager in a game between two EFL clubs it would have felt rather surreal.

"But it’s great for the family that’s it’s come around, if Charlie plays of course as he’s not sure yet! Charlie and Robbie will both want to win. It’s the same if you come up against mates you want to beat them. I know my dad would love to have beaten me.

"They will take great memories away from the day and hopefully Charlie is the one with the bragging rights over the dinner table for years to come.

“As a club it’s another game we want to win and I expect to be a really good game.”