Shake off stigma, Tony Pulis tells James McClean

Pulis held a meeting with McClean in the wake of the incident on the club's pre-season tour of America in which he refused to face the cross of St George during the national anthem.

And the Baggies boss has warned McClean, who is from a republican background in Northern Ireland, to protect his reputation after a career that has also seen him refuse to wear a Remembrance Day poppy out of respect for people killed on Bloody Sunday.

"Obviously there has been a stigma around him and he doesn't need to start that up again," said Pulis. "So hopefully we've nipped it in the bud and we can get on with our things and he can get on with his things. I didn't see the situation but I had a chat with him and explained what we do as a football club and the way we are and I think he's fine with everything.

"We've got Northern Ireland lads in the squad and he's been absolutely fantastic with them, and the way he's mixed and integrated with the group has been brilliant.

"I've seen the pictures and he's got to turn towards the flag like everybody else has and he recognises that.

"We want him to be as open and honest as he possibly can within the group and the group want to be as open and honest as they can with him. It's just about integrating him and him understanding the rules we work to at the club and we're all together on and off the pitch."

McClean opened the scoring with a spectacular strike in a 2-1 win at Richmond Kickers in the final game of the Baggies' trip.

And Pulis said: "He's been fantastic in his energy levels and the way he works.

"He's been a fantastic player so far for us. He's trained with a smile on his face and he's been really good around the place."