This evening’s friendly away against Skrill Premier Braintree Town has switched to a 7.30pm kick-off with trialist Leroy Lita expected to be in action for the Blues. The game was originally advertised as starting at 7.45pm.

As reported earlier, 29-year-old Lita has joined the legion of trialists at Playford Road this week, following his release by Swansea at the end of last season.

Born in Kinshasa in what's now the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lita started with Chelsea's youth system but made his break into senior football with Bristol City, where he spent three years before joining Reading in 2005.

During four years at the Madejski Stadium the 5ft 9in tall striker spent spells on loan at Charlton and Norwich before joining Middlesbrough on a permanent basis in 2009.

He moved on to the Swans two years later but spent much of his time with the Welsh club out on loan at Birmingham, Sheffield Wednesday and Brighton.

The rest of this evening's side is likely to be made up of members of Mark Kennedy’s U21s squad and perhaps one or two other trialists.

Tonight’s game is a second testimonial for long-serving Iron Brad Quinton, who has been forced to retire after 546 appearances for the Essex club.

Town were last at Braintree for a friendly in the summer of 2012 when a goal from Nathan Ellington was the difference between the sides.

The Blues were also the opponents in Quinton's first testimonial back in 2008 when Dean Bowditch (pen) and Jordan Rhodes saw Town to a 2-0 victory.

Meanwhile, former Blue Garvan, who is also understood to be spending the week with the Blues, isn’t ruling out a return to Town and has confirmed he wants to leave Palace in order to play games. The Irish midfielder could feature at Colchester on Wednesday.

Photo: Action Images

StuartBrett8 added 16:32 - Jul 22 Years Team Apps† (Gls)† 2002—2005 Bristol City 85 (31) 2005—2009 Reading 83 (20) 2008 → Charlton Athletic (loan) 8 (3) 2008 → Norwich City (loan) 16 (7) 2009—2011 Middlesbrough 78 (20) 2011—2014 Swansea City 18 (2) 2012 → Birmingham City (loan) 10 (3) 2013 → Sheffield Wednesday (loan) 17 (7) 2013 → Brighton & Hove Albion (loan) 5 (1)
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JimmyJazz added 16:33 - Jul 22 I'd take Lita on if he can prove himself. Lots of pace and a handful on his day - unfortunately his day was a few years ago now but at 29 is still worth a look at
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StuartBrett8 added 16:34 - Jul 22 Not scored many lately, But if Mick were to sign Lita I'm sure he'd make him tick
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bluelady added 16:36 - Jul 22 Still got a goal in him clearly but for me bsck up only
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PhilTWTD added 16:37 - Jul 22 Further to the above, Braintree's official website still says a 7.45pm kick-off in a number of places but spoke to them and Town on the phone and definitely 7.30pm.
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KuqiCoup added 17:19 - Jul 22 2002—2005 Bristol City 85 (31) VERY GOOD 2005—2009 Reading 83 (20) GOOD 2008 → Charlton Athletic (loan) 8 (3) GOOD 2008 → Norwich City (loan) 16 (7) VERY GOOD 2009—2011 Middlesbrough 78 (20) GOOD 2011—2014 Swansea City 18 (2) POOR 2012 → Birmingham City (loan) 10 (3) GOOD 2013 → Sheffield Wednesday (loan) 17 (7) VERY GOOD 2013 → Brighton & Hove Albion (loan) 5 (1) OKAY 94 GOALS IN 324 GAMES Played the majority at this level. Still only 29 and with a ration of just over 1 goal every 3 games (14 goals based on a full season). Unlike Ellington you judge him on last season. 8 in 22 games, a goal every 2.75 games, so he's not exactly in decline. Plus you can also argue that wherever he's gone (many clubs - Swansea aside) he's scored goals regularly. I am not sure what more people expect. Exactly the sort of player we need. Pacy, off the shoulder striker, with proven pedigree at this level. We would do well to get a 14 goal a season striker for nothing because the 25 goal a season ones like Ulloa (He got 16 but was injured for 3 months) go for £8m! McCormack went for £12m!

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jas0999 added 17:28 - Jul 22 Just hope this isn't another Ellington or SEB! Lita is certainly a goal scorer though. Interesting.
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Sindre94 added 17:44 - Jul 22 A former sucmmer.. ehhhmmmmm... Not his biggest fan but everybody deserves a chance
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TractorCam added 18:28 - Jul 22 No thanks.
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Bergholtblue added 19:08 - Jul 22 For Lita read Lisbie, Ellington, Ebanks-Blake. Hope he proves me wrong.
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Bergholtblue added 19:12 - Jul 22 On another note 546 appearances for a club is a tremendous record. Congrats to Brad Quinton and all the best for a long and happy retirement.
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