Charlton are waiting to hear whether Leroy Lita's loan from Reading could be curtailed following the Royals' plunge too close for comfort to the Premier League's relegation zone.

The striker is expected to lead the Addicks' attack against Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road on Saturday but could find himself back at the Madejski Stadium should Reading's plight worsen.

Royals' manager Steve Coppell has intimated that he may have to recall Lita, though Charlton boss Alan Pardew has not heard officially from his opposite number.

Pardew said: "Steve told me that we could keep Leroy until the end of the season, barring serious injuries to any of his strikers. Steve has to do what's right for Reading and if he feels they are in danger then calling him back was always a possibility."

Pardew expressed an interest in retaining all his loan players - Fulham's Lee Cook, Sam Sodje and Lita from Reading plus Greg Halford from Sunderland.

Cook has gone public in expressing his desire to remain at The Valley and Pardew said: "I would like to keep all four if I could. Whether that's possible is down to what budget I have for next season and their clubs.

"They are committed to the cause and we still have a cause to fight this season."

First choice Nicky Weaver returns in goal against Rangers after serving a one-match suspension following his dismissal two weeks ago at Plymouth while striker Andy Gray is expected to keep his place in attack after breaking his scoring duck in Saturday's 1-1 draw against Southampton.