Reading vs Arsenal: Steve Clarke worried about month break if Royals beat Gunners

Reading's season finishes on 2 May - the FA Cup final is 30 May

Steve Clarke has expressed 'deep regret' at his sacking by West Brom, claiming he had 'unfinished business' at the Hawthorns (PA)

Steve Clarke has bemoaned the fact that, providing his Reading team beat Arsenal on Saturday, they will have to endure a four-week break before the FA Cup final.

Reading’s Championship season finishes on Saturday 2 May but the FA Cup final is not until Saturday 30 May, four weeks later. There is no chance of reaching the Championship play-offs now leaving Clarke with a possible headache should they upset the odds – as Clarke expects – at Wembley on Saturday.

"When we beat Arsenal, we have to wait four weeks after our last league game to play the Cup final," said Clarke at his pre-match press conference. "This is not correct. I probably need to go on holiday for two of them and then bring the team back in.

"It’s a long break! If we get to the final, what are we going to do from May 2 to May 30? What do we do? Everyone else has played, so we won’t be playing games. It’d be a great puzzle to have though!"

While Clarke said he did not especially mind that Saturday’s game is at the same time as Chelsea’s Premier League clash with Manchester United, he did say that the Cup’s special status should be defended more.

"There are things that we should do to protect this great competition," he said. "It should be special."