READING striker Leroy Lita insists Saturday's FA Cup washout handed Burnley an advantage as the two clubs face off in tonight's re-arranged clash.

The England U21 international was set to lead the line for the Royals before referee Rob Styles postponed the fixture due to a waterlogged pitch.

Styles faced little option but to call off proceedings as torrential rain leading up to the game left surface water all over the pitch at Reading's Madejski Stadium.

As a result, Steve Cotterill's side head to Berkshire again as they attempt to cause a third round shock and make Reading the fifth Premiership club to be dumped out of the competition, following the elimination of Liverpool, Everton, Sheffield United and Charlton.

But despite having to complete the lengthy 430-mile round journey for the second time in four days, Lita believes Burnley will be much the fitter side.

Asked if the postponement benefited Reading, Lita said: "I don't think that'll really help us.

"They will still be fresh and I'm sure they will be looking forward to it. It will be a tough game for us.

"They will be fresher than us as we've had a lot of games over Christmas and already played this year. But we will still be ready for it."

Unusually, the Clarets have gone without a game in 2007 following the New Year's Day washout against Stoke at Turf Moor.

New-boy Ade Akinbiyi was among Burnley's players frustrated by the outcome at Reading as he was set to make his second debut for the club following his £750,000 move from Sheffield United.

When Styles made the decision to postpone the game 10 minutes before kick-off, the Clarets came out from the tunnel in their tracksuits to applaud fans that made the long journey.

"It was definitely disappointing that the game was called off but there was no way we could play on that pitch," said Lita.

"When we went out there you couldn't pass it through the middle so we thought there was a good chance that it might be called off.

"The gaffer (Steve Coppell) said give it half an hour but 10 minutes later it was called off.

"It was unfortunate for Burnley and their fans, but it's one of those things."

Striker Akinbiyi was selected to partner Gifton Noel-Williams in attack on Saturday before the bad weather thwarted his debut chance.

Other changes in the Clarets starting line-up saw John McGreal back in central defence with Michael Duff suspended after collecting five bookings.

A weakened Reading made nine changes to the side that previously demolished West Ham 6-0 in the Premiership.

Lita was one of three first-team regulars to be used by manager Coppell, with ex-Burnley midfielder John Oster also selected, although there was no room for former Turf Moor favourite Glen Little in the 16-man squad.

Coppell said he is planning to name a similar side tonight, with minimal changes anticipated.

Lita added: "The players who are going to get their chance have been patient and they've got to show the gaffer what they've got and try and stay in the team.

"I said last week I wanted to play no matter what, so it was good of the gaffer to put me back in there. We'll be going out there to win the game - that's all we can do now."