Simon Cox is unlikely to make a return to the County Ground, despite chairman Andrew Fitton opening the door for a potential loan switch back to Swindon.

Since his £1.9million summer move to West Bromwich Albion, the striker has struggled to command a regular place at the Hawthorns, with his involvement limited to just eight appearances - mainly from the bench.

Cox, pictured left, has been a spectator in the stands for a number of Town’s fixtures already this season, and Fitton admitted he would love to have last year’s 32-goal hit man in their starting line-up once again.

“Is he coming back here? Who knows. Would I like him back here? Simon Cox can walk through that front door any time he likes and he knows that,” said Fitton.

“These things happen as a matter of chance, but if at some stage West Brom decide that they would like to put him out on loan then I hope they would call us, because we would welcome him back.”

Rumours over the weekend suggested Cox could be heading to Championship side Watford on loan, and the Advertiser understands it prompted Fitton to call the 22-year-old, with both parties agreeing a temporary spell at Town would be his favourable option.

However, the Baggies are reluctant to send Cox back to Wiltshire, believing he would not benefit from the football on offer in League One.

“West Brom are asking Simon to play in a different position and I don’t completely understand that,” explained Fitton.

“With a guy who knows where the white sticks are as well as he does, you just ask him to hit them as much as possible. He’s a truly top class goalscorer and can do that at any level.

“He’s not afraid to gamble, he’s not afraid to take on the ridiculous chance, he doesn’t need three touches and will have a go with the first one, not letting it affect him if it goes into the crowd. That’s what Simon has.”

“It could be a lengthy transition for him, but if they want him to play in a different way then they may not want to send him back here. We might teach him bad habits - like goal-scoring.”