Blackburn Rovers after West Brom hitman Simon Cox

Blackburn Rovers today joined the race to sign West Bromwich Albion striker Simon Cox.

Rovers boss Steve Kean is determined to overhaul his squad, following their relegation from the Premier League, and he is hoping to bring the forward to Ewood Park.

Cox has struggled to hold down a regular place with Peter Odemwingie and Shane Long ahead of him in the pecking order.

The Ireland international could be tempted to leave The Hawthorns for regular first-team football after growing frustrated with his lack of action.

Blackburn appear to have jumped ahead in the queue for the hitman but Middlesbrough boss Tony Mowbray is also keen on the versatile forward who can cover a number of positions.

Mowbray – and especially his No.2 Mark Venus – are long-standing fans of Cox, who moved from Swindon for £1.5m in 2009.

The pair sanctioned the Baggies' move for the former Reading trainee, although they had left for Celtic by the time Cox's switch to The Hawthorns was eventually rubber-stamped by Roberto Di Matteo.

Mowbray is keen to add to his attacking options, especially with targetman Lukas Jutkiewicz ruled out for up to eight weeks.

Albion took up their option on the 25-year-old at the end of the season but are willing to listen to offers, acknowledging that he may struggle for football in the coming campaign.

Cox has also been linked with Reading, Southampton and Birmingham and started only seven league games last term. Kean has already brought in Leon Best and Nuno Gomes to bolster his attacking options.