McShane will get a chance

After earning his second Republic of Ireland cap against San Marino in midweek, McShane, pictured, admitted frustration at the potential prospect of being back on the bench for this afternoon's Hawthorns clash with Burnley.

But Mowbray today held McShane up as an example to all his players for his determined attitude to earn a regular place in the side.

"Macca is the epitomy of what I would want all footballers to be in terms of his temperament and his attitude to the game," said Mowbray.

"He's a very driven and very focused young man.

"He's hungry, desperate to be a footballer, desperate for a start and wants to play.

"I want all my players to be like that. If you have all of them like that it gives you a problem because you can only start with 11 of them and they're always knocking on your door wanting to know why they're not playing.

"But you would rather have hunger and those who think they should be in the team and are desperate to prove they should be."

Mowbray has been impressed with the way McShane has taken to the international scene and he has promised the 20-year-old he is very much in his Hawthorns plans.

"I'm delighted he's done so well in the internationals," added Mowbray.

"I watched him against Jan Koller when he made his debut againt the Czech Republic and he did exceptionally well against a 6ft 7in player with a top international reputation.

"It's great for me to have that sort of character trying to force his way into this side.

"Regularly at the moment we have been going with Curtis Davies and Chris Perry as the centre half partnership.

"But he showed last week he can play full back and he tells me he can play anywhere because he wants a shirt.

"That's the attitude I want from players and he's pushing very hard for a starting place."

By Steve Marshall