Simon Cox has begun to settle in the Midlands after his £1.9 million move from Swindon Town and West Bromwich Albion’s new striker has now vowed to hit the goal trail.

The 22-year-old has been plagued by an ankle injury which has disrupted his pre-season and he admits he has struggled to find his sharpness.

Cox finished last season as the joint top scorer in all four divisions last season with 29 league goals and scored 33 in all competitions, and the expectations are high that he can reproduce that kind of form in Albion colours.

However, he has drawn a blank in the few appearances he has made in Albion’s friendlies so far but is confident the goals will come when he finally finds his feet with the Baggies.

Cox has now found himself a place locally to avoid commuting from his Berkshire home and he said he is now able to focus 100 per cent on the task at hand.

“I’m still finding my feet around the training ground, getting to know the players, the way they play, the way I play, getting to know the manager, and it’s been enjoyable,” he said.

“I’m still lacking that bit of sharpness in and around the box, trying to find my scoring boots. I think I left them at Swindon – and hope I picked them up on the way out after the friendly! Hopefully the good times will follow.

“It was important to get things right off the pitch. We were in Slovenia on tour so while we were training I was trying to sort properties out.

“We’ve only had one day off so I had to get all my stuff in then.

“I’ve still got the injury but I’m trying to play on as the medical staff said it should go away. I desperately wanted to play at Swindon. It’s a good club, I enjoyed my time there.

“Hopefully the injury will go in time. I don’t know if it’s a muscle problem or a kick. All I remember is turning my ankle a bit during my medical at the indoor arena we’ve got and the hard ground in Slovenia probably took me over the edge.”

Cox isn’t too concerned by his wait for his first goal and wouldn’t mind it if he saved that opening strike for Albion until the opening game of the season against Newcastle on August 8.

“Yes, I just want one goal. Strikers go through patches and if I can have that patch now then I can have a decent season,” he said. “Goals don’t mean anything in pre-season. It’s about getting fit, performing together as a team and making sure we’re right for Newcastle.”

nFormer football stars of the Black County will do battle once again on Sunday to help raise funds for international charity WaterAid.

West Bromwich Albion face Wolverhampton Wanderers at Hednesford Town’s Keys Park stadium in Cannock on Sunday (12.45pm) in an all-star derby match.

Cyrille Regis, Bryan Robson, Bob Taylor and Richard Sneekes will turn out for the Baggies while Don Goodman, Mel Eves and Jamie Smith will pull on the old gold and black.

Tickets, costing £9.50 for adults, £5.50 for children or £20 for a family pass, are available from the Hednesford Town on 01543 422 870.

And next week, Regis will be joined by former Albion team-mate Brendon Batson, ex-Aston Villa centre-half Paul Elliott and Walsall’s England Under-19 star Netan Sansara in Leamington for a match to raise funds for projects in Northern India.

The game on Sunday August 9, against a Leamington United XI, is expected to draw players from Blissett’s squad including RnB DJ and 5 Live broadcaster Spoony and former So Solid Crew Member Harvey.

Tickets for the game are available now priced at £5 for adults and £3 for children and are available now at bkitfootball09.eventbrite.com