Simon Cox has insisted he is happy to fight for a place in the Albion team as the loan deadline loomed.

The former Swindon man was linked with loan moves away from the Hawthorns earlier this season but has since edged ahead of Graham Dorrans, Roman Bednar and Ishmael Miller in the pecking order.

And, despite making just two Premier League starts, Cox insisted he is enjoying life with the Baggies.

He said: “I’m happy to get Premier League minutes under my belt.

“It’s always better to come on when you’re winning and getting positive results but, at this moment in time, I’m being thrown on to nick goals and it’s not happening.

“But I’m happy to be getting a chance. It’s good for the CV from a personal point of view. I’d like to start more games but that’s up to the manager.

“He has to see something during the week which warrants it. I’ve been happy with my situation.

“After the Leicester game we said we’d chat but that never happened because I was happy with what was going on.”

Cox played a part as the Baggies were beaten 3-0 at home by Stoke on Saturday – their fourth defeat in five matches.

But the 23-year-old has urged the squad to remain upbeat as they prepare for Saturday’s trip to Everton.

He said: “We have to be positive. We need to pick our heads up off the floor and move forward as a club.

“We’re in a sticky patch and we need to come out of it. If we can do that as quickly as possible then we’ll be OK.

“The results against Manchester United and Arsenal were very good and maybe some people – not inside the club, but those outside looking in – got a bit carried away.

“The management team, the players have been looking forward to games and right now things aren’t dropping for us.

‘Look what happened with Stoke’s third goal. Scott Carson made a great save and then it still went in.

“Those kind of things weren’t happening to us at the start of the season. They were falling for us.

“It’s a little bit of luck we’re lacking at the moment. It’s one of those times when we’re working hard but it’s not falling for us.”