Ireland call no holiday for Simon Cox

Albion striker Simon Cox has cancelled his summer holiday plans after receiving a call-up to play for the Republic of Ireland.

The Reading-born forward has been included in the Republic squad for friendlies with Northern Ireland and Scotland and a Euro 2012 qualifier against Macedonia in late May and early June.

And Cox, who qualifies through his Galway-born grandmother, has already rescheduled his holidays.

He said: "I'd already booked my holidays and I've had to cancel one to Marbella and move one back to Dubai so I can go and play.

"I was more than happy to do that. It was something I never thought was going to come up, otherwise I wouldn't have booked my holidays.

"The chance to play international football is not something I want to pass up. It's a good time for me to get in and around it at this stage of my development.

"I see getting caps for Ireland as a proud moment and so do my family."

Cox's confirmation of his call-up late last week followed a hectic week of communications with Ireland officials.

He said: "I got a call from the FAI to say they were thinking of calling me up. They needed to trace back my family history to see exactly how I qualified to play for them.

"I always knew I could qualify for Ireland."

Cox also spoke of his grandmother's pride at his first call-up for Ireland.

The 24-year-old qualifies for Ireland duty through grandmother Mary and he said his call-up for three matches in May and June has triggered pride among relatives in Galway.

He said: "My grandmother is very proud. She moved over to England when she was young and married my grandad.

"All her sisters and my dad's cousins are all still in Galway. I went over there during the last international break.

"It was nice to go back. I've had numerous phone calls from all my family.

"They are ready and raring to go and watch the games."

Cox revealed how a chat with James Morrison, who has played for Scotland thanks to his Scottish grandmother, convinced him to accept the call to join Ireland.

He said: "I spoke to 'Mozza' about it while we were on the golf course the other day and I asked him what it's like.

"When he went away with Scotland the first couple of times he was unsure but he really enjoys it now because he is a regular. That's the sort of thing I want to do.

"I know a few of the lads in the Ireland squad and hopefully it will be easy for me to settle in.

"I can't wait to train and play with some of the top players in Ireland."

At club level, Cox has urged his Albion team-mates to end their season on a high after the disappointment of Sunday's Black Country derby defeat at Wolves.

The Baggies were beaten at Molineux but are already safe in the Premier League for another season.

Cox said: "Sunday was disappointing. It was a below-par performance from us in the first half but, in the second-half, I thought we played quite well.

"Even at 3-1 down I still fancied us to get back into it. I had the shot that Hennessey saved and Jerome hit the bar. If either of those had gone in we would have been back in the game.

"I would have really fancied us to go and get at least a point if it had been 3-2 with 10 or 15 minutes to go.

"It just wasn't to be our day. They got three points and it moves them a little bit closer to safety.

"If they do stay up it's another derby to look forward to next season."