Lita has struggled at Reading this season (Getty Images)

Lita, 23, signed a 28-day loan with the Championship club after struggling to secure a first team place at Reading.

Brown told BBC London: "This is an exceptional signing by Alan Pardew. I'm surprised Reading let him go.

"The thing that strikes me is how he's out of the picture at Reading. They are in the relegation mire and you'd expect them to want all hands on deck."

Lita, who scored 14 goals for the Royals last season, goes into the Charlton squad for Saturday's home game with Preston North End.