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

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.

Steve Coppell, the Reading manager, believes both club and player will benefit from Lita's spell in south London.

Coppell said: "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."

Charlton added to their attacking options with the loan of Scott Sinclair from Chelsea last week.