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Cox pictured in training yesterday. INPHO/Donall Farmer
surprise

Cox to start in attack with Keane - reports

Giovanni Trapattoni has demonstrated his penchant for eccentric team selections once again.

WEST BROM STRIKER Simon Cox will start upfront alongside Robbie Keane for Ireland’s crucial Euro 2012 encounter with Spain, according to reports.

Ireland need at least a point from tonight’s game, and reports have emerged indicating Giovanni Trapattoni has chosen Cox to lead the line against the Spanish.

Previous rumours suggested Jon Walters would start upfront, with Keane deployed behind him in a slightly more withdrawn role than usual.

Starting Cox would hardly come as a significant shock for long-term Trapattoni watchers, given the Italian’s past tendencies to make eccentric team selections.

Moreover, the Ireland manager is a known admirer of Cox, having consistently selected him for Ireland squads despite his inability to break into the West Brom first team, with Irish colleague Shane Long generally preferred in attack at the club.

Wolves striker Kevin Doyle is expected to drop to the substitutes bench in order to accommodate Cox.

Read: Memory lane: here’s what happened the last 5 times Ireland met Spain>

Read: LIVE: Euro 2012, day 7>

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