Lita loaned to Charlton

Reading's England Under-21 striker Leroy Lita has joined Coca-Cola Championship promotion contenders Charlton on a four-week loan.

The 23-year-old will spend 28 days at The Valley under former Royals boss Alan Pardew with the loan expiring on March 31.

After being an integral part of Reading's first season in the Barclays Premier League, Lita has played just 15 games this season and scored only a solitary goal in the Carling Cup.

Lita missed the start of the season with a freak injury after damaging a leg muscle as he stretched in bed after waking up.

Manager Steve Coppell believes both club and player will benefit from the former Bristol City player's spell in south London.

He told the club's official website: "Leroy has been frustrated at his lack of first-team action recently, so this loan move will be a perfect way for him to retain match sharpness at the highest level of Championship competition."