BRENDAN Rodgers will use this Saturday's glamour friendly against Chelsea as a trial run for the following week's Championship opener against Nottingham Forest.

The Royals boss has so far used his pre-season friendlies as an opportunity to give his entire squad a run out as he looks to get everyone up to speed in time for the league campaign.

But with the big kick-off just over a week away, Rodgers admits that the visit of his former team is the perfect chance to finalise his plans before Forest come to town.

He said: "It's our last game before the start of the season so I need to look at things that bit closer and iron things out for the following week.

"The most important thing is for us is continue what has been a terrific pre-season and finalise matters ahead of the Nottingham Forest game."

For Rodgers, the visit of the South Londoners is extra special given the time he spent there learning his trade under Jose Mourinho.

The 'Special One' lured him from the Royals in 2004 and appointed him as youth team manager at Stamford Bridge. Rodgers does not hide his admiration for the now Inter Milan boss and admits that he owes him a lot.

"Obviously I'm really looking forward to Saturday," he said. "These are two clubs which have been a big part of my life for the last 20 years since I've moved here.

"You can argue that the four-and-a-half years that I was at Chelsea has allowed me to be where I am now.

"That gave me the confidence and put me on the map as a coach who can work with big players."

He added: "Jose was a massive influence on my career. I was a young coach who went there with a lot to learn.

"He gave me great confidence and inspiration. He gave me the belief that I can one day be a great manager.

"He was a massive influence and continues to be so. We work well together and we still have close contact even though he's in Italy."

Chelsea's Mourinho era has now long gone and it is Carlo Ancelotti who will lead them out on Saturday following his summer appointment.

The Blues boss has been brought in by Roman Abramovich to wrestle back the Premier League crown from Manchester United and also to finally win that elusive Champions League title.

And he is expected to bring many of his top stars to Berkshire as he continues his side's preparations for the new season, including the likes of Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka, John Terry and Frank Lampard.

The match might cause some arguments in the Lampard household as Frank jnr will be lining up for Chelsea while football consultant Frank snr will be on the Royals bench as part of Rodgers' backroom team.

For most young defenders the thought of lining up against Drogba and Anelka would be a daunting one, but for Alex Pearce, who skippered Reading during their tour of Sweden, it is one he is relishing.

He said: "These are the games as a professional footballer that you want to play in. You don't want to be missing out on these games.

"Whatever happens on Saturday it will develop me as a player so I can't wait.

"Physically I don't think there is anyone better than Drogba. There's no doubt about it, it's going to be tough, but if we can impose our game on them hopefully when they leave they will know they've been in a game.

"Whoever plays for them it will be a test, they've got quality players throughout their squad."