West Bromwich Albion boss Roy Hodgson is delighted seeing Simon Cox win a call-up to the Republic of Ireland squad.
Reading-born Cox qualifies to play for the Republic through his Galway-born grandmother and has been named in Giovanni Trapattoni's squad for games against Northern Ireland, Scotland and Macedonia.
"It's great for him," Hodgson told the WBA website.
"He's been beavering away here and keeping his head down.
"He could so easily have gone out on loan as he hasn't really had so many chances during the course of this Premier League season until very, very recently.
"I think he has taken the chances he's been given well and that really is great reward for his dedication and belief in himself, and his ability to play at the highest level.
"Now the call-up to the Ireland team is the cherry on the cake and we're all very, very happy for him and hope he gets his chances with them as well.
"Hopefully he can establish himself as a bona fide Ireland player."
