Coppell Not Planning On Selling Lita

Steve Coppell has warned other clubs watching the Leroy Lita situation at Reading thinking that they might be able to buy him in January that they wont be able to, as he has no intentions of letting the former England under 21 international go.

Lita has found his first team chances limited recently, with Coppell being critical of his form this season but he has always challenged him to force his way back into the first team picture.

Lita hasn't even made the bench for the last two games, but this doesn't mean that Coppell wants to sell him, quite the opposite he wants him to force his way back into his thoughts as he told Sky Sports: "I'm sure other clubs will look at the Leroy situation and think there is an opportunity there, but I have said all along I need four forwards and that should produce healthy competition.

"There is hardly anyone I want to lose in the transfer window."

He also went on to explain that he can understand Lita's frustration at not playing but he will have to be patient and wait for his chance, making sure he takes it when he it comes: "He is not happy because he wants to play, but I would have to leave Kitson or Doyle out and they have done all right.

"Longy has proved to be the most effective one coming off the bench, so it is a sticky situation for Leroy. He has got to be patient."

Lita is currently fourth choice behind current strikers Dave Kitson and Kevin Doyle, with Shane Long getting the nod recently for a place on the bench. Both Middlesbrough and Portsmouth are believed to be monitoring the situation, but if Coppell is to be believed they are wasting their time.

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