Simon Cox says he did extra training at West Brom this season to boost his chances of featuring for Republic of Ireland at Euro 2012.
Frontman determined to fight for place at Euros
Striker Simon Cox has revealed he did extra training at West Brom this season to boost his chances of featuring for Republic of Ireland at Euro 2012.
Cox has been included in Giovanni Trapattoni's squad for the tournament despite struggling to hold down a place in Roy Hodgson's Baggies side this term, making the majority of his appearances from the bench.
The 25-year-old, capped 11 times for Ireland, says he has compensated for the lack of regular football by keeping his fitness levels topped up with extra training.
The frontman knows he is likely to take a backseat to attacking duo Robbie Keane and Kevin Doyle in Poland and Ukraine but is hoping to play some part.
"In the last two months I pretty much discarded the season really and did extra bits in training," Cox told the
Birmingham Mail.
"We run after games anyway but I asked if there was a bit extra I could do so I'm ready for the tournament if selected.
Fighting
"I think the boss has got his front two with Robbie and Kevin and the rest of us are fighting just to get on the pitch.
"We will try hard and it's up to who the boss wants.
"The friendly with Bosnia (on Saturday) and any training games are where we want to show we're sharp, we're fully fit and can score goals.
"It's something we're looking forward to."
Despite his lack of playing time under Hodgson, Cox is a fan of the manager, who has departed the Hawthorns to lead England at the Euros.
"He'll do well and I hope he does well," added Cox. "He's a top man and dealt with me well this year, apart from not playing me, but I hope he does well.
"The media had this whole Harry Redknapp versus Roy thing for the job and now it's Roy's job so I don't think they'll let the him versus Harry thing go until they're happy with what he's doing."
