Reading striker Leroy Lita has hit back at manager Steve Coppell, and says he hopes to leave the club during the January transfer window.

Lita responded to claims from Coppell that the 23-year-old refused to play for the Royals in their FA Cup third round clash against Tottenham.

"The gaffer has come out and said I don't want to play at Spurs, which I wasn't happy with at all," Lita told the Daily Express.

"I said to him if I am going to move on he might as well play the lads that are here otherwise I will be cup-tied.

"I didn't say I didn't want to play. It was frustrating and a bit personal. I didn't like that."

The Congo-born England under-21 international has featured in less than half of Reading's matches this season, with the front pairing of Kevin Doyle and Dave Kitson the preferred option for Coppell.

He has yet to score in the league this season, his only goal of the campaign coming against Swansea in the League Cup back in August.

Lita believes that he will have to leave the Berkshire club in order to start playing first-team football again.

He said: "I am not looking to sign a new deal. I don't know if I will be at Reading beyond this transfer window.

"If something comes along and and it is good for me to move on, I am going to.

"I just need opportunities. I am 23 years old. I don't want to sit on the bench.

"I have big ambitions. If that's not here then they shouldn't stop me moving on."

Eurosport