SIMON Cox insisted he is happy to be 'Mr Versatile' if it gives him the chance to make a contribution to Albion's promotion push.

The former Swindon striker made his first start in six games in the Baggies' 1-0 win at Plymouth - but in an unfamiliar central role in a five-man midfield as he came in for the benched Robert Koren.

And he rose to the challenge with a battling display on a tricky pitch at Plymouth - capped by his 66th-minute winner.

"I haven't been playing but I've gone in every day with a smile on my face and enjoyed my football," said Cox.

"I came out of the team on the back of a thumping by Forest but I didn't let that get to me.

"I went in every day and worked hard and knew that we had loads of games coming up in the next couple of months and a chance would come for me.

"It was an unfamiliar role but I took it and got the goal so I was happy.

"I've not played there before so it's unfamiliar for me but if that's the way the gaffer wants to play from now on I don't see myself as a target man, so that would be my sort of role to get into the team.

"I enjoyed that role, especially as I scored.

"In the first half I did a lot of running because I hadn't played that role before and didn't really know it, but if I keep playing there I will get to know it, and probably get to love it.

"The build up to the goal was excellent.

"I made a darting run and didn't get the ball, but I realised I wasn't getting back so stayed up there because you never know what can happen.

"There was a great switch of play, Roman challenged for the ball and if you don't buy a ticket you don't win the lottery!

"I took a gamble and it paid off for me."

The 22-year-old ace also praised his team-mates' character for meeting the challenge of a rapidly deteriorating pitch head on against a lowly Pilgrims side scrapping for Coca-Coca Championship survival.

"It was a good all-round day but it wasn't easy," he added.

"The boys had to fight hard and dig in, especially when we got down to the latter stages.

"Going down to ten men at a place like that isn't nice, especially when the board goes up with five minutes.

"We ground out a result and we're happy with the three points.

"The surface was not great. We like to play passing football but we had no chance with that pitch.

"We just had to grind it out and hope to nick a winner and hold on.

"We could have had the second goal to calm things down with the penalty but the keeper made a great save from Dozza."

Cox had as clear a view of Jerome Thomas' stoppage-time sending-off as anyone as he watched events unfold from the bench after being subbed for Andy Slory in the 87th minute.

And he admits it is a blow to have lost the Baggies winger to a four-game ban.

He added: "It was right in front of us. Jerome had been kicked a few times before and I think he just saw red.

"He didn't go in maliciously, he went for the ball, it wasn't high and it could easily have been a yellow because there were a few challenges earlier in the game when the referee gave yellow cards.

"We will miss him because he's a massive player for us but we've got people who can come in and replace him, so hopefully it won't make too much of a difference."

The £1.9million summer signing believes it was also important to keep the pressure on leaders Newcastle by closing the gap to three points, having played a game more, after seeing them thrash Cardiff 5-1 on Friday.

"With Newcastle giving out a thumping to Cardiff on Friday it was important for us to win and keep them on their toes," he added.

"If we can keep clocking the points up then we will be up there at the end of the year."