Bristol City boss Steve Cotterill heaps praise on Matt Smith

Bristol City manager Steve Cotterill has lavished praise on Matt Smith following the Fulham loanee's heroics in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

The striker was on target during his team's 1-1 draw with Gillingham in the second leg of the semi-finals, adding to the four goals he netted in the previous leg of the 5-3 aggregate victory.

"Matt has been brilliant from the time he came in the door. We needed to get him up to speed and he has lost about four kilos since he has been here," Cotterill told reporters.

"He has been an absolute gentleman. He has been brilliant and he is an absolute gem of a lad.

"When he goes back to Fulham he will have a lot of fans at this football club hoping he goes back and has a real good end of the season with them."

Smith is due to return to his parent club before Bristol City play Walsall in the final in March, but Cotterill has promised to do everything in his power to take him to the national stadium.