Bobby Convey's thunderous strike at Turf Moor set Coca-Cola Championship leaders Reading on their way to victory against Burnley in a match overshadowed by an injury to Leroy Lita.

America winger Convey volleyed into the top corner after 10 minutes following Lita's cushioned header, with Ibrahima Sonko nodding home in the second half to seal the points before Dave Kitson tapped in.

Lita appeared to pick up a serious injury on the stroke of half-time when he fell awkwardly while shooting, with medics carrying the striker off on a stretcher after he had received attention on the pitch.

It was Lita's first appearance in the starting XI since he was injured in an attack in a nightclub, and the England Under-21s international could now miss the Royals' march towards the 100-point mark this season.

The fixture was in danger of being called off until an inspection two hours before kick-off declared the stands safe for spectators.

Michael Ricketts and Gifton Noel-Williams were left out of the Burnley squad, and in their absence the hosts were toothless in attack on a bitterly cold afternoon.

Centre-back Wayne Thomas was the most threatening early on, surging forward after five minutes - but his shot from 25 yards was wild and wide.

After Convey's opener from 25 yards, champions elect Reading looked comfortable - with Kevin Doyle getting behind the Clarets defence but running into trouble.

Kyle Lafferty fashioned Burnley's first real chance. But he sliced a shot after 19 minutes over the bar following a sharp turn in the area, with Frank Sinclair forcing Marcus Hahnemann into a simple save from a similar position.

Chances proved difficult to come by, despite the enterprise of midfielder James Harper. The former Arsenal trainee looked dangerous with the ball at his feet - and on 33 minutes he was inches away from a John Oster cross from the right after good work from Graeme Murty.

Kitson, who had recovered from concussion suffered in his last appearance, replaced Lita after the striker was carried off.

Former Turf Moor favourite Glen Little was brought on for the set piece, the winger receiving a standing ovation on his return to his old club.

The change inspired the visitors, and Harper forced a wonderful save from Brian Jensen after 55 minutes. Little's free-kick from the left was headed in by Sonko from close range a minute later as Reading cruised towards victory. Little was later taken off because of injury.

Sonko could have doubled his tally but headed over, while Doyle found the side-netting from a position of promise.

Lafferty forced Hahnemann to save in a rare Burnley attack.

But Kitson tapped in during injury time to complete the scoring.

Teams:

Burnley Jensen, Thomas, Sinclair, McGreal, Duff, Harley,James O'Connor, Hyde, Spicer (Elliott 57), McCann, Lafferty.

Subs Not Used: Karbassiyoon, Crossley, Garreth O'Connor,

Courtney.

Booked: James O'Connor.

Reading Hahnemann, Murty, Sonko, Gunnarsson, Shorey,Oster (Little 52), Harper, Ingimarsson, Convey,Lita (Kitson 45), Doyle, Little (Hunt 83).

Subs Not Used: Stack, Makin.

Goals: Convey 10, Sonko 55, Kitson 90.

Att: 12,888

Ref: M Jones (Cheshire).