Shrewsbury Town goalkeeper Matt Cox reveals his Premier League and England dreams

Shrewsbury Town goalkeeper Matt Cox has revealed his Premier League and England dreams.

Cox has impressed since joining Salop on loan from Brentford in January, starting every game under Gavin Cowan.

The 22-year-old has made several crucial saves, including a close-range stop during Town’s victory over Tranmere Rovers - after which he leapt to his feet and let out an almighty roar.

Since joining Brentford in 2021, Cox has been on the bench 31 times without making an appearance, but he has represented England at under-17, under-19, and under-20 level.

Speaking to the Shropshire Star, Cox revealed his aspirations of becoming a top-flight regular and dreams of earning a senior England call-up.

“One day I want to play in the Premier League, probably Brentford's number one, and play for England, that's the dream,” he said.

“That's all you really want as a young player, a young English goalkeeper.

“Being so close to it for such a long time at Brentford, then coming on loan to get that experience, you almost just look back at it and think: I was that close, imagine how close I'd be now if I played this many league games and I've shown myself in the Football League’”

Cox also recalled the excitement of warming up at Newcastle United when Brentford’s goalkeeper went down injured, with a potential Premier League debut on the cards. But he was not required between the sticks.

He added: “I was so excited, just having the thought of playing in the Premier League at that point was beyond me. It was so exciting.

“Being on the bench, being in and around it, even if I am not on the bench, doing the warmup, being in and around Premier League games, you learn so much from watching top level goalkeepers.”

He also worked alongside David Raya during his early days at Brentford. Raya has since helped Arsenal to the top of the Premier League.

Cox has joined Salop at a similar stage in his career as Dean Henderson did in 2017. Henderson, now at Crystal Palace, became a fan-favourite at the Meadow and played a key role in a season that saw Salop narrowly miss promotion from League One.

Since then, Henderson has earned four England caps and helped Palace win the FA Cup and Community Shield.

Asked if Henderson’s journey is one he hopes to follow, Cox said: “Yes, I'd never like to copy and be like a keeper…but I'd love to be successful.

“You'd always say that, to go through, showing that there's a possible pathway from a club here, to be going up to do that just almost fills me with more confidence, to know that it's possible.

“It reminds me, ‘oh, there is a chance of this’.”

Football runs in Cox’s family - his sister is a goalkeeper for Chelsea, currently on loan at Aberdeen, and an England under-23 international.

“Growing up, we were always playing sports together,” Cox said. “She is doing quite well for herself.”

Cox spent time at Chelsea and AFC Wimbledon before joining Brentford. After arriving in Shropshire, he was on the bench twice before earning his starting spot at Cambridge United, and he has retained the gloves since.

Asked what his spell at Salop means to him, Cox added: “It's a nice club with a great fan base. This is an important time to come and play games.

“I just want it to be able to show who I am as a player and a personality. I want to be able to leave here with everyone saying good things about me.”