Ireland international Simon Cox fired West Brom into the fourth round of the FA Cup with a hat-trick against Cardiff this afternoon.
Cox headed his first home from eight yards after a cross from Baggies captain Nicky Shorey. He doubled his tally in the 61st minute with a scorcher from 25 yards that gave Heaton no chance as it crossed the line after rattling off his post, and he sealed his hat-trick with an easy tap in from an Odemwingie pass.
The Irish striker has recently hinted that he may have to move on during the January transfer window after finding first-team football hard to come by this season.
Cox is very aware that he needs to playing every week if he's to secure a squad spot in Giovanni Trapattoni's European finals squad, and with just two Premier League starts this season he feels a move away from the the Hawthorns may be his best chance of guaranteeing a trip to Poland in June.
Speaking after the game Baggies boss Roy Hodgson said :
"That's a positive for Simon who has taken his chance when it has come along.
"I thought he did very well at Tottenham the other night as well, so with his three goals and his performance today, it's a clear positive for us and for him.
"The way he played today, he clearly showed he deserves a place in the team, and we'll be thinking very seriously about that.
"Simon's a good trainer, good finisher. In the finishing practices he is always right up there, so he has to be pleased with his day's work.
"I'm pleased for him, pleased he's shown he is a Premier League quality player and that he has taken his chance after being given it with great aplomb.
"On both occasions he has been amongst our best players."
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