The new Royals boss has seen nine players depart on international duty this week to give him a selection headache ahead of the Brewers visit.
Strikers Simon Church (Wales) and Shane Long (Republic of Ireland) are joined by midfielders Stephen Hunt (Republic of Ireland), Marek Matejovsky (Czech Republic), Brynjar Gunnarsson (Iceland), Hal Robson-Kanu (England Under-20s), Jimmy Kebe and Kalifa Cisse (both Mali) in missing the cup clash.
Andre Bikey is also away with Cameroon but would have served the third game of his five-match ban anyway.
Noel Hunt missed Saturday's 0-0 draw with Nottingham Forest but could play as he returns from a foot injury while defender Matt Mills will make his debut after joining from Doncaster.
Goalkeeper Ben Hamer could also be handed his debut as Rodgers continues to blood youngsters at the Madejski Stadium.
The match kicks off at 8pm.
