Fulham striker Matt Smith has little time for the idea he is the Large in the Little act alongside Ross McCormack.

The giant Fulham striker reckons he deserved to be bought by the Whites from Leeds in his own right for around £800,000 last September rather than as stooge to the £11m striker.

McCormack spoke of rekindling the successful partnership the pair enjoyed at Elland Road last season, but it lasted a mere 18 minutes in Smith’s debut at Reading.

A rash challenge on Royals’ Hope Apkan saw Smith see red, which as it turned out was a taste of what happened next.

The 6ft 6ins forward was loaned to Bristol City, where in Robins red he netted seven times in 14 games, including all four when City beat Gillingham 4-2 away in January.

Fulham boss Kit Symons saw it happen, and now Smith insists he is ready to impress his fourth gaffer in a roller coaster season – and hopefully get a start at Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.

He said: “It’s been a bit of a odd season to be under a few different managers, and playing for a few different teams in a few different competitions, but it’s all part of the learning curve, I suppose.

“My spell at Bristol was character building and served its purpose in scoring goals regularly, hope I can continue it here at Fulham.

He netted 25 minutes into his Cottage debut on Friday, but it was bittersweet, bearing in mind the 5-1 hammering at the hands of rampant Bournemouth in front of the TV cameras.

However, the goal was fashioned in Yorkshire from a sixth sense pass by McCormack that played in his pal to rifle high into the net. It’s been a long time coming.

“It’s disappointing we’re talking about it in March,” said Smith. “We understand each other’s games very well, so it was good to be back out there together and we linked up well in parts.

“But I’d like to think I was bought on the back of a good season in my own right rather than as Ross’s partner.

“I made my Cottage debut and it didn’t go the way I would have wanted it to go. But you’ve got to take the small positives and move on collectively as a group and make vast improvements in time for Sheffield Wednesday.

“I always knew I was coming back from Bristol and this is where I want to be and do well here. It’s up to me to keep my spot.”