Alan Pardew has no plans to sell James McClean
Alan Pardew does not plan to sell James McClean in January and insists the winger will be an 'important player' for Albion this season.
There has been speculation surrounding McClean's future since it emerged Albion rejected an £8million bid for the winger from Burnley in the summer.
The Baggies need to sell to buy this January and McClean has only started six league games this season.
He's also expressed an interest in playing for Celtic this season, but Pardew does not want to off-load him and does not believe the 28-year-old wants to leave.
McClean scored against West Ham on Tuesday and appeared to point to his badge during his passionate celebration.
"We’ve had no bids," said Pardew. "I don’t see me moving him on or him wanting to go. I don’t see that scenario.
"His performance level was high at West Ham, he got a good goal, although it was deflected, it was a hell of a run from the edge of our box.
"He'll be an important player from now until the end of the season. He's a character and I think that's important for this team as well.
"In terms of James’ celebrations I’m not really on the same wavelength, he’s very individual like that!"
McClean was burgled during the West Ham game, but the winger has not let it affect him in training this week and Pardew was unaware of the incident.
"That's news to me," he said. "But I've been burgled recently so I know the feeling. It's not nice."
Pardew is hoping for a busy January transfer window however, and is targeting strikers and creative midfielders.
"In this month we'll be looking to hopefully do some business but it takes two to tango," he said. "We need other clubs to agree fees and everything else and release players if possible.
"It's a very difficult window but you can have successful Januarys. I remember at Newcastle we were struggling and the Moussa Sissoko year pushed us on.
"Although I haven't got the finances to make that sort of impact, it will be something I'll be looking to do.
"You've only got to look at our record, we've lost the least games of anyone down the bottom but drawn too many games.
"Our goals for column isn't good enough to stay in the Premier League and therefore that needs to change.
"You could see much more attacking intent in the team, but the psychology is still tied to holding on.
"We're doing a lot better but we still need to improve that column that's holding us back. Score goals, you win games."
