'We won't veer off the path': Reading boss on team selection ahead of Walsall tie

Reading boss Noel Hunt has admitted that the plan for EFL Trophy ties will not change under his management and changes will be made for this evening's trip to Walsall.

Finishing second in the group, dropping points only to Cheltenham Town, the Royals make their first trip to the Poundland Stadium since 2003 in the Round of 32.

Under previous boss Ruben Selles, who departed to join Hull City last week, squads were heavily rotated as a thin squad tried to navigate a heavy fixture schedule.

Drawing 1-1 with league leaders Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday, former striker Hunt has admitted that plan will not change under his stewardship.

"We will take it as we have done," the former Championship winner said. "We won’t veer off the path. The boys on the bench and a couple of the younger ones will play.

"It is really good for their development to go out and play those games and it’s not what they haven’t done all season so in terms of that, we won’t change the plan."

This fits well with Hunt's work as Under-21 manager, leading the youngsters to a PL2 semi-final appearance, a Berks and Bucks trophy win and qualification for the Premier League International Cup in the past 12 months.

Walsall, who sit top of League Two, beat Port Vale on Saturday and topped their group in the earlier phase.