Injuries are an occupational hazard for footballers but, while most players suffer knocks during matches or training, Reading striker Leroy Lita managed to crock himself without leaving the comfort of his own bed.

Lita could miss his side's Premiership opener against Manchester United on Sunday after damaging a leg muscle while stretching in bed.

The bizarre injury has left the England Under-21 international struggling to walk and he faces a race to recover in time for the Old Trafford clash.

Royals manager Steve Coppell said: "Leroy is in a great deal of pain. He woke up and stretched while in bed and he has done something to his leg.

"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 yesterday and had to sit out training."