Cameron Smith is expected to come face to face with Alex McKinnon in the next few days in an effort to clear the air.

The injured NSW forward was scathing in his criticism of the Melbourne, Queensland and Australian captain during a television interview earlier in the month.

Smith was not offered a right of reply on the 60 Minutes program which profiled McKinnon and his battle with a devastating neck injury which has left him in a wheelchair.

Smith has said he would address privately claims he acted improperly in arguing with the on-field referee as McKinnon was carried off and failed to reach out to offer an apology.

Speaking on Sterlo on Fox Sports on Wednesday night, Smith said he expected that to happen soon.

“I think the process is about to begin,” Smith said.

“Clearly, I’d like to speak to Alex and I believe he’d like to speak to me as well.

“I think it’s best for both he and I that we get it done very soon.”

Smith will play his 300th NRL game for Melbourne against Penrith at AAMI Park on Friday with his side desperate to arrest a recent slide.

The Storm have lost four straight and will be without superstar fullback Billy Slater for the rest of the year with a shoulder injury.

Smith pointed to the club’s 2012 campaign in which they lost five on the trot before righting the ship and going on to win the grand final.

“We’ve just been a little bit off,” Smith said.

“We played the Broncos a few weeks ago and I think we had a record amount of repeat sets – something like 12 in the 80 minutes – and we couldn’t get a win.”