Albion will get another example of how they have grown tonight.

And another example of what can happen if you stop moving forward.

Reading will send their senior squad to the Amex for a last 16 (or southern section last eight) tie in the Bristol Street Motors EFL Trophy.

This has been something of a controversial competition in that it pits academy teams from bigger clubs against first teams from third and fourth tier outfits.

The concern, certainly in earlier days, has been that it is a way of bringing B teams into the league structure, as happens in many other countries.

Where it might feel like a significant night for Albion is that it was not long ago that Reading were seen as a club they should look to follow and emulate.

That was in the days when Charlton were bussing fans in from Sussex to watch Premier League football at the Valley.

When higher-division opponents for the showpiece home friendly before a new season included Charlton, Reading, Ipswich and Aberdeen.

Back in July 2007, Albion were at a pre-season training camp in Cheshire when the final verdict was due to come through on planning permission for a stadium in Falmer.

I was sent there with a photographer purely to record their reaction, get some quotes and come back again.

First-team boss Dean Wilkins spoke eloquently about the good news when it was confirmed just as he was tucking into breakfast.

Players gave a quick “good news” or whatever as they ran out on to the playing field a little while later.

But, understandably, their thoughts were on the training session ahead.

Then Jake Robinson came out. He would have only been 18 at the time but could see the significance of who Albion would be playing at the weekend.

It was Reading at Withdean in the Kerry Mayo testimonial.

Robinson said that was an appropriate fixture because Albion should look to follow what Reading had achieved after moving to a modern new home.

They were seen as a model for Albion. So were Swansea for a while.

The EFL has various clubs who have been more or less where Albion are now and seen it slip away, as we were reminded in the Potteries on Saturday.

Should academy teams be playing in the competition? That is a debate in itself.

But we know Albion’s hard-earned progress has been a daily, step-by-step process, almost imperceptible at times.

It is not to be taken for granted.

They need to keep improving just to stay where they are.

The next forward-looking step comes this evening for their younger players and those who look after them.