At about 6pm last Friday, the realisation finally sank in for West Bromwich Albion striker Simon Cox.

Yes, the Republic of Ireland will be going to Poland and the Ukraine for the European Championships next summer.

It will be their first tournament since the 2002 World Cup and their first European Championship for 24 years.

Giovanni Trapattoni’s men will face Croatia in their opening Group C game, before facing World and European champions Spain and finishing off their group with Italy.

If they get through their group, they meet one of the Group D teams in the quarter-finals –throwing a potential meeting with England.

Cox feels Ireland have every chance of upsetting the odds when they pitch up for their opening game in Poznan on June 10.

“I’m pleased with the draw,” said the 24-year-old. “I think Spain are obviously the favourities. They should win the group, they are the best team in the world.

“But we’ve beaten Italy – we have an Italian manager too which adds to it – and we drew with Croatia in Dublin too.

“I’m looking at it and thinking that we have a good chance of getting through that group,” he said.

“We won’t be going there fearing anyone, that’s for sure.

“Am I pleased to avoid England? No, I would happily have played them.

“I’m hoping we get a friendly against them in the New Year, which would be good. I know the FAI are looking into that.

“I would love to play against them in a major tournament so you never know how it will pan out. If we both get through, who knows?”

Cox’s immediate aim is helping Albion to stabilise their future in the Premier League this season.

Whether Cox will be part of that process in the future remains to be seen.

The former Swindon and Reading man has made just one Premier League start this season.

The dilemma over his future is one which pains him. Continue in a support role with Albion, where he is appreciated – albeit under-used – by Roy Hodgson or move on during the January transfer window.

With Euro 2012 looming, he is starting to drift towards the latter.

“It might be something I have to look at during the Christmas period,” said Cox. “I’m never happy when I’m not playing.

“I might have to look at that but it’ll be decision made then, not anytime soon,” he added.

“If that is to happen then it’ll be a decision that suits everyone concerned – myself, my family, the club and if there is a club who would take me on loan or more.

“It’s a decision that’ll be made further down the line. The manager has said some kind things.

“But if you don’t play then you can’t show what you can do.

“I want to be in the best physical shape possible and in the best mental state to give myself the best chance of getting to the Euros.

“My form has to be good and that will only happen if I’m playing games.

“So I will have to look at what the manager thinks, what he wants to do - we have the January window coming up and he might want to bring people in himself too.

“Maybe he might think the time is right for me to go somewhere else.

“Obviously there are still a few weeks to go but we will see how it all unfolds.”