GILLINGHAM’S second win in a week left Ian Cox with even more to celebrate after he learned he could be facing England in the World Cup.

The Trinidad & Tobago defender and Gills’ stand-in skipper oversaw the league double just days after coming to terms with the prospect of marking Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen in Germany next summer.

The Gills could even have two players facing England in June, as Cox’s Priestfield team-mate Brent Sancho is also a member of the Trinidad & Tobago squad.

Friday’s draw paired Trinidad alongside England, Sweden and Paraguay in Group B, although the defender knows he’ll need to maintain his current level of form to get a place in Leo Beenhakker squad.

“The hard work is from now until the end of the season,” said Cox. “Because if I don’t perform here then I won’t be going and that’s the bottom line.

“I have to make sure I’m on my metal here and then with the grace of God I’ll be selected for the squad. We want to go there and enjoy the experience but we’re not just going to make up the numbers.”

Gillingham continued to pull away from the foot of the table, with a second consecutive win taking them to 16th in League 1.

Cox, standing in as skipper in the absence of Chris Hope, praised his team-mates as they comfortably beat Port Vale 3-0 on Saturday.

He said: “It was a welcome three points. It’s been a while since we got back-to-back wins. We needed to continue where we left off from Tuesday and credit to the boys, they went out with the right attitude, went about things in the right manner and thanks to the big one above we got three points.

“Everybody’s there to prove a point and everyone wants to play. The boys that have come in want to keep their place and it’s not going to be easy for anyone to come, to have their shirts taken off their back, and that’s what they’re doing at the moment.”

Cox, who signed a new one year deal in the summer, is unsure whether it will be extended but is determined to enjoy himself in what may be his last season as a Gills player.

He said: “At the moment I haven’t really thought about it. If it’s my last season playing football then I’m going to enjoy it.

“These things are not necessarily in your hands, it’s getting harder and harder to get a contract but I’m just going to enjoy the season and whatever is thrown at me I’m just going to enjoy it and make the most of all the experiences that come my way.”