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Simon Cox: on the bench. Clint Hughes/PA Archive/Press Association Images
Euro 2012

Cox grateful for Trapattoni trust

“I have to thank Giovanni because every time he has picked me in the squad, I have not been playing at Albion.”

SIMON COX IS happy that a lack of first-team action hasn’t hurt his chances of making the Republic of Ireland squad for Euro 2012.

Cox grabbed the headlines when he came off the bench to score Ireland’s equaliser in a friendly against the Czech Republic in February.

Since then, the striker has only started one game and made two substitute appearances for West Brom, leading to speculation that he might drift to the fringes of Giovanni Trapattoni’s plans.

It has been a frustrating season for Cox, who turns 25 later this month, but the Reading-born marksman says he’s grateful that his time on the sidelines hasn’t negatively affected his international chances.

“When the squad is selected for the Euros, I hope to be in it and, via the conversations I have had with Giovanni and Marco Tardelli they seem happy with what is happening with me,” Cox said (The Sun).

Sometimes you can’t complain when the team are winning games but in terms of Ireland I have to thank Giovanni because every time he has picked me in the squad, I have not been playing at Albion.

It is hard for him to see what I can do on a weekly basis and I do have to count my blessings everytime he picks me for the squad.

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