Lita hurt in freak incident
Reading boss Steve Coppell has revealed striker Leroy Lita could be out until next month after the England Under-21 international suffered a freak injury in bed.
Lita damaged a muscle while stretching after he woke up, and has been unable to train for two days.
And Coppell told Sky Sports News: "It's not an injury that should be ridiculed or made light of."
He added: "From what I was led to believe he was injured stretching in the morning.
"It's a point of laughter but a serious business for him because he's going to be out for three or four weeks.
"It's a legitimate injury caused in a way which ordinarily would not affect anyone anywhere. He's been massively unlucky."
The club's medical staff will continue to monitor the former Bristol City marksman's injury - but Coppell's words mean he is unlikely to feature in Sunday's Barclays Premier League opener against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Lita enjoyed a successful first season as the Royals made a steady start to life in English football's top flight, netting 14 goals in all competitions - seven of which came in the Premier League.
