Steve Coppell has recalled Leroy Lita from his loan spell at Charlton Athletic as Reading fight to stave off relegation.

Reading haven’t scored in their last four games, losing them all and have found themselves within a point of the relegation zone.

Steve Coppell had a clause in the loan agreement enabling him to bring Lita back within 24 hours. He will now keep him at Reading for the final three games of the season.

Reading are now just one place above the Premier League relegation zone and face six pointers with Wigan Athletic and Derby County, as well as a home game with Tottenham Hotspur who have nothing left to play for in the league.

Steve Coppell:

Leroy has been playing regular football for Charlton and will be raring to go. It was an obvious decision to make given the fact that we’ve not scored lately.

I made the call to Alan Pardew late on Saturday. We agreed it would be beneficial to us to bring Leroy back now that it’s mathematically impossible for Charlton to get into the play-offs.