Bristol City manager Steve Cotterill is optimistic that the club will be able to retain the services of Johnstone's Paint trophy hero Matt Smith beyond January.
Fulham loanee Smith scored the lot as the Robins established a 4-2 Southern Area Final first-leg advantage against League One rivals Gillingham last night.
Cottagers boss Kit Symons was in the stands to watch Smith bag his first career hat-trick, but Cotterill does not fear losing him back to the Championship side when his current loan expires at the end of this month.
"I've spoken to Kit about Matt Smith and I don't think anything has changed," he told the Bristol Post.
"He was fifth or sixth choice at Fulham when he came to us and I don't see him getting in their side ahead of the likes of Hugo Rodallega and Ross McCormack.
"Matt was magnificent tonight and he's enjoying his football with us. I'd love for him to stay beyond the end of January and I'm confident that can still happen."
The Southern Arena Final second leg will be played at Bristol's Ashton Gate on February 3.
Joe Fish
