Published: Monday, 21st April, 2008 15:00
Lita returns to boost Royals
By Anthony Smith
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Arsenal 2 0 Reading
Pointing the way: Leroy Lita could have a massive role to play for relegation-threatened Reading over the last three games of the season.
LEROY Lita has made a dramatic return to Reading and could start in Saturday’s massive relegation battle with Wigan Athletic at the JJB Stadium (3pm ko).
The ex-England under-21 striker was shipped out to Charlton on loan until the end of the season after a string of disappointing performances and off-field troubles.
Lita is yet to score in the Premier League this season but has found the net three times for Addicks boss and ex-Royals manager Alan Pardew in the Championship with a goal against Wolves and two against Plymouth.
Now Reading hope the 23-year-old will add some desperately needed firepower up front as the Royals attempt to secure their top-flight status over the remaining three games.
Kevin Doyle, Dave Kitson and Shane Long are all firing blanks and the televised 2-0 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates last Saturday was the fourth game in a row that Steve Coppell’s side have failed to score.
And Coppell conceded: “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 have 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 as it’s impossible for Charlton to make the play-offs.”
Lita was back with Reading on Sunday when he joined his team-mates for a training session following the Arsenal loss.
Royals’ first team coach Kevin Dillon insisted: “Leroy is the type of footballer who won’t be thinking he doesn’t want to come back because we got rid of him.
“He’ll want to come back and prove a point. That’s the type of player he is and if he’s playing games and scoring goals he’s the bubbliest person I’ve ever met.
“He wasn’t in our team so the loan could only benefit us. If he didn’t do well we had not lost anything because he wasn’t doing particularly well with us.
“But he’s settled in there. He’s scored three goals now and I miss his celebrations more than anything.”
Lita is certain to play some part at Wigan where Coppell will wield the axe again.
He made six changes to his side at Arsenal where Nicky Shorey, Stephen Hunt and Glen Little were left out completely, Ibrahima Sonko and skipper Graeme Murty were recalled, Jimmy Kebe made his full debut and Kitson operated as a lone striker.
It is thought Coppell’s reasons were purely tactical in a bid to rest some of his biggest performers for a run-in which sees Reading face Wigan and Derby away and Tottenham at home.
And Dillon revealed: “Steve Coppell doesn’t normally do that. But there’s method in his madness, there was a reason for it.
“Kevin Doyle didn’t come on and there was a reason for it. Glen Little is not quite right yet and Nicky Shorey hasn’t suddenly lost his ability.
“There were reasons for the changes which will become apparent when the team is picked at Wigan next week.”
Goals from Kitson and James Harper helped Reading to a 2-1 home victory over Wigan in September.
However, Steve Bruce’s team look to be nearly safe after claiming an unexpected point at Chelsea last week and another against Spurs in a 1-1 home draw on Saturday.
Dillon argued: “For me their point at Chelsea was crucial and I think they are pretty safe.
“Steve Bruce has done a great job. They have something about them. He’s old school and he gets the best out of his players.
“But at this stage of the season it has nothing to do with tactics or fitness, it’s about what is between the ears.
“The mentality and psychology of players has to be spot on and hopefully ours will be right for the weekend.”
l THE FA may take retrospective action against Arsenal’s Alexander Hleb after television pictures showed him slapping Royals captain Graeme Murty in the face last weekend.
The second half incident was not spotted by referee Peter Walton.
Further Details
Lita in shock recall?