Kit Symons believes Fulham could be the surprise package of the FA Cup – and do what he did at Portsmouth 22 years ago.

The Whites manager points to the healthy tally of Championship sides reaching the latter stages of the game’s most famous domestic competition, including the former centre-half’s Pompey side.

Symons and co on the south coast took the mighty Liverpool to a semi-final replay in 1992 and only missed out on a Wembley showcase by the sudden death of a penalty shoot-out.

The manager reckons this could be Fulham’s season to reach their first semi-final in 12 years, provided they get off to a good start against Wolves on Saturday and reverse the home defeat inflicted by Kenny Jackett’s men in August.

”I love the tradition of the FA Cup – it’s a fantastic competition,” said Symons.

“You say we’ll never win it, but in my first full season with Portsmouth we got to the semi-final as a Championship club, drew 1-1 and 0-0 and lost on penalties.

“Had we won, we would have played another second string side in either Norwich or Sunderland, and it’s not as if we’ve got a lot of midweek games in January – they come in February.

“There will be plenty of time to recover from Monday's game and we’ll treat the cup with the respect it deserves.”

Keep up to date with all the build-up, matchday and post-game reaction to Fulham v Wolves right here on GetWestLondon