A return to Ashton Gate for Fulham striker Matt Smith appears unlikely, according to the Bristol Post.
The 26-year-old starred for Bristol City while on a three month loan period at the club last season, scoring 13 goals in 20 appearances.
Most notably while on loan, Smith ran riot at Priestfield Stadium, bagging all four Robins goals in Bristol City’s 4-2 victory away at Gillingham in the Football League Trophy on 6 January 2015.
Smith had returned to Fulham by March, and would score five further goals for The Cottagers by season’s end. The Englishman opened the season in a similar vein of form, scoring in Fulham’s opening game of the 2015/16 season against Cardiff. However, Smith has failed to score a goal more in a further 15 appearances this season, and it has been speculated that Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic could allow Smith to leave on loan once again.
One crucial reason why Fulham may be more reluctant to loan Smith back to Bristol City could be because both teams are now Championship relegation-battling rivals, whereas both sides were separated by one Football League tier last season.
Another reason the deal appears unlikely is that since identifying Smith as a target, management at Bristol City has changed hands, with Lee Johnson replacing Steve Cotterill as club manager. Cotterill brought Smith on loan to the club during The Robins’ successful run to the League One title.
New manager Lee Johnson will be familiar with Smith however, the 26-year-old having made 75 appearances in addition to scoring 14 goals under Johnson at Oldham Athletic.
While a deal to bring Smith back to Ashton Gate isn’t entirely impossible, it seems unlikely boss Lee Johnson will be making a move to acquire the 26-year-old, in this loan window at least.
