Birmingham City target West Brom's Simon Cox

West Bromwich Albion striker Simon Cox today emerged as a potential transfer target for neighbours Birmingham City.

Blues have enquired about taking Cox to St Andrew's but West Brom are currently reluctant to let the former Swindon man leave The Hawthorns.

Cox has struggled to secure a regular starting place since moving to the Baggies two- and-a-half years ago and has expressed concerns that a lack of first-team football could hinder his hopes of making Ireland's Euro 2012 squad.

But Albion boss Roy Hodgson, who has included Cox in every matchday squad this season, wants to keep the 24-year-old unless he can add new forwards to his squad this month.

Albion and Blues have been in contact regularly this week with the St Andrew's club rejecting a Baggies bid for defender Liam Ridgewell.

And Birmingham boss Chris Hughton revealed that Cox's availability had formed part of their discussions.

Hughton said: "Have we made an enquiry? Yes we have. And this is part, if I look at the process, of our communications with lots of clubs. You are wondering about which players would be available. I have spoken about Cox and that's it."

Cox started Albion's 2-1 defeat at home to Norwich last weekend after scoring an FA Cup hat-trick against Cardiff seven days earlier.