Lita could be out until September

The 22-year-old has been unable to train for the last two days and Royals boss Steve Coppell said: "Leroy is in a great deal of pain.

"It's a point of laughter but a serious business for him because he's going to be out for three or four weeks."

Lita, who scored seven Premier League goals last season, will miss the season opener at Manchester United on Sunday.

606: DEBATE Give your reaction to Lita's injury

"He woke up and stretched while in bed and he has done something to his leg," Coppell added.

"It is not an injury that should be ridiculed or made light of. It looks to be a problem with a nerve. Maybe he has displaced one, but he could hardly walk on Monday and had to sit out training."

Meanwhile, Lita and defender Nicky Shorey are reported to have rejected new contracts with the Royals.

BIZARRE INJURIES Dave Beasant Dropped a bottle of salad cream on his foot Rio Ferdinand Picked up a tendon strain watching TV Richard Wright Shoulder injury falling through his loft Santiago Canizares Dropped a bottle of aftershave and severed a tendon Alan Mullery Injured his back cleaning his teeth Darren Barnard Slipped in a puddle of his dog's liquid

Both players have two years left on their current deals - and both have been linked with other Premier League clubs.

"There's no rush with either Nicky or Leroy as both have two years left on their present deals," added Coppell.

"We just want to reward them more in line with what they have achieved at the club."

But Lita recently indicated that he would like to stay with Reading.