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Tony Pulis warns James McClean to expect flak

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Tony Pulis has told James McClean to expect stick wherever he goes in the Premier League.

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McClean was booed by some of the Leicester fans on Saturday because of his decision not to wear a poppy on his shirt.

Like the Sunderland game, there were also anti-IRA chants directed at the Republic of Ireland international.

"James is going to get stick, he knows that," said Pulis. "It's part of his life in the Premier League."

But the winger's lung-busting efforts up and down the left flank have enamoured him to Albion fans.

Although some supporters thought his celebration in front of the Sunderland fans was reckless, there were others who liked the passion.

The winger put in another solid performance on Saturday and has built a strong partnership with full-back Chris Brunt.

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"The supporters have taken to him and they like him here and he's done well again," said Pulis.

Although Rickie Lambert's penalty proved to be just a consolation goal, the manager hopes breaking his competitive duck for the club will spark the former Liverpool striker into scoring more for the Baggies.

"Lambert might benefit from getting off the mark," he said. "He's looked sharper in training as well which has been good."

In Salomon Rondon, Pulis already has a striker who appears to be at the start of a good run.

Two goals in two games has silenced the doubters wondering if the Venezuelan was worth the £12m Albion paid in the summer.

But the manager is worried that any form his main targetman finds for Albion could be scuppered by another international break.

"He played well at Norwich," said Pulis. "The problem we've got is that after Man United he goes away again for two weeks.

"When he goes away and comes back it's very difficult for him."