Chris Smalling stunned by sudden success

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Defender Smalling made his first Barclays Premier League start against Chelsea last week and helped Fulham keep a clean sheet in their FA Cup win over Swindon on Saturday in the absence of injured centre back Brede Hangeland.

He has also put in a series of impressive Europa League performances which have caught the eye of England Under-21 manager Stuart Pearce, who handed him his first cap in August.

Back in the summer of 2008 Smalling was on the verge of going to Loughborough University while playing for Isthmian Premier League side Maidstone United after being released by Millwall.

And the commanding centre-half finds it hard to believe that he has come so far so quickly.

"It has been one of those sorts of stories, a meteoric rise," the 20-year-old said.

"I was unfortunate at Millwall but settled in at Maidstone and then got my chance here and hopefully I can go from strength to strength."

Smalling attributes his rise to Cottagers boss Roy Hodgson, who signed a new 12-month rolling contract last week.

"I have really enjoyed the games I've played in and it's great when you have got a manager of the calibre of Roy showing faith in you while Brede has been struggling," he added.

"Brede's treatment is going well but hopefully I'll be ready if I have to play the next game [Stoke away tomorrow]."

Hodgson is likely to hand Andy Johnson only his second start since October tomorrow after he came through Saturday's game without any recurrence of a groin injury.

He will be partnered by Bobby Zamora, who picked up his 11th of the season against Danny Wilson's Swindon side.

Hodgson believes the in-form striker, who has been touted for a shock call-up to England's World Cup squad, is on course to reach his target of 20 goals for the first time since he burst onto the scene at Brighton 10 years ago.

"Eleven is good for Bobby and if we can get him onto 20 goals this year then that will be fantastic," said Hodgson.

"The way that he is going at the moment, he's well on target for that."