James McClean thanks fans for support after tough West Brom start

James McClean has thanked West Brom fans for their support after his controversial start to life at the Hawthorns.

The Republic of Ireland star sparked fury when he refused to acknowledge the English anthem during the club’s summer trip to the USA.

The 26-year-old from Derry refused to wear a poppy on his kit in the run-up to Remembrance Sunday while playing for Sunderland and Wigan Athletic, saying it would have been disrespectful to the “innocent people who lost their lives in the Troubles”.