Albion goal star Simon Cox is targeting international honours after making himself available for the Republic of Ireland.

The Reading-born Baggies striker qualifies for Ireland through his grandmother and the 22-year-old is ready to throw in his lot with Giovanni Trapattoni’s side.

Cox is hoping his red-hot Championship form could secure him the chance to don Irish colours in honour of Galway-born Mary Langan.

He said: “I’d be very proud to get the chance. Not just for me but also my nan, who I’m very close to. If Giovanni Trapattoni or anyone from the FAI gave me a call then the first thing I’d say would be ‘yes, I’d be delighted to come on board.’

“When I was at Reading, I regularly told Kevin Doyle and Stephen Hunt about my availability. We didn’t go into huge detail about it, because it’s not their responsibility to pick the team.

“But they know, and hopefully Mr Trapattoni knows, that if a call is made that I’d give a positive response.

“I don’t want to be cheeky about it and force the issue, because ultimately it is the manager’s decision. It’s important to be respectful.”

Cox furthered his claims last night with a predatory stoppage-time strike to earn the Baggies a 2-2 draw at home to QPR and take his own tally to six goals in seven games – a figure that could still rise to seven if he is credited by the Football League with both goals against Bristol City.

But the 22-year-old subdued his celebrations last night and later revealed the gesture was out of respect for his girlfriend’s grandfather, who died last week.

He said: “My girlfriend had a tragedy in the week. Her grandfather passed away, so that was for him and their family.

“She said ‘if you score, can you do it for him’ and I said I would try to pop up with one.”