Charlton have signed Reading's England Under-21 striker Leroy Lita on a four-week loan that could be extended until the end of the seasonThe 23-year-old will initially spend 28 days at The Valley under former Royals boss Alan Pardew with the loan due to expire on March 31.

After being an integral part of Reading's first season in the Premier League, Lita has played just 15 games this season and scored just one 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.

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."

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