READING FC boss Jaap Stam is set to ring the changes for tomorrow’s FA Cup third-round clash at Stevenage (3pm ko).

Stam confirmed he plans to rest a number of his first-team players in the aftermath of Tuesday’s home defeat to Championship strugglers Birmingham City.

That means the likes of Jon Dadi Bodvarsson, Tiago Ilori, Adrian Popa and Omar Richards could all get the nod against League Two Boro, while Anssi Jaakkola is set to deputise for Vito Mannone between the sticks.

Stam explained: “I need to make changes because some players are tired and when you aren’t getting results everything feels heavier and heavier which is normal.

“We will still be going there for a result, it doesn’t mean we will play all the youngsters.

“But certain ones are doing very well and might get the opportunity to play.”

It appears the busy schedule over the festive period is catching up on Stam’s men, after Royals’ boss pulled Dave Edwards out of Tuesday night’s clash with Birmingham City due to fatigue.

Reading lost the game 2-0 – their fourth defeat in five league games – leaving them only four points above the Championship relegation zone.

“Dave Edwards was rested because he’d played a lot of games in a short period and was feeling tired,” said Stam.

“Mentally we ask a lot from the players but to get out of this we need to be mentally very strong.”

Stam, though, rejected suggestions the FA Cup will provide a much-needed distraction to Reading’s struggles in the league.

“It’s not a welcome relief and we are wary we need to do well,” he stressed. “We’ll try and win over there which won’t be easy, especially away from home.

“Everyone wants to do well in the FA Cup.”

Reading Chronicle:

Goalkeeper Anssi Jaakkola could start against Stevenage.

Stevenage, like Reading, have had a disappointing campaign in League Two and are currently 15th in the table.

Tomorrow’s third-round tie will be the third time Royals will have faced Stevenage in the competition in the last seven years, having never crossed paths before that.

Reading’s first visit to Broadhall Way, now the Lamex Stadium, in the 2010-11 campaign proved a successful one as Brian McDermott’s side clinched a 2-1 victory in the fourth round when Mikele Leigertwood blasted Royals in front, Darius Charles levelled but Shane Long struck a late winner.

It was the catalyst for a memorable run as McDermott’s men toppled Everton in the fifth round at Goodison Park before a narrow defeat to Manchester City in the quarter final.

But it was different story the following year as Stevenage got their own back by knocking Royals out in the third round with a 1-0 win at Madejski Stadium with Charles their goalscoring hero.

Meanwhile, under-pressure Stam argued Reading’s problems this season are nothing new, having guided the team to third place last season.

“It’s a different season to last,” he said. “Leicester won the Premier League then in the second season we know what happened.

“Sometimes a team works hard and everything goes for you, then the next season it doesn’t work like it used to because the opposition knows you, it’s harder to win games.”