Hodgson keen on striker deal

Roy Hodgson has admitted that he would like to extend Simon Cox's stay at West Brom if the striker wants to remain at the Hawthorns.

The Baggies chief has lifted the lid on his potential plans for the Republic of Ireland international despite recently confirming that he will wait until the end of the season before discussing players' respective futures. And, while Cox has started just seven Premier League games for Albion this term and has expressed his frustration at not being a regular in the side, it seems Hodgson still sees him as a big part of his plans going into the future. Therefore he looks to be keen on taking up an option to renew Cox's contract in the summer if he would like to stay put and fight for his place in the side. "I think he's a good player but whether we can persuade him, in the face of other offers, to stay with us and keep fighting for a place with us is something only Simon Cox can answer," Hodgson said. "It's great to have him here, he's a good player and he's never let me down. But I have used other people at times such as Shane Long and Peter Odemwingie, now Marc Antoine Fortune. "Simon is different to all of those players and now he goes into an option year. I'm sure the club will be anxious to keep him but whether or not we succeed in the face of what his plans are only time will tell. Would I keep him? Yes, I would."