West Bromwich Albion coach Gerry Francis has told James McClean to learn to deal with fan abuse if he is to avoid controversy and suspensions in the future.

McClean sparked a melee last weekend after celebrating his side's win over Sunderland by celebrating in front of the opposition's fans.

The Republic of Ireland winger had been receiving abuse from the Black Cats supporters having refused to wear a poppy and ignoring God Save The Queen.

Francis, however, has told the 26-year-old that he will simply have to learn to deal with the abuse he receives and not to react.

Francis said: "He had been getting a lot of stick from the Sunderland fans for the whole game but that's no excuse. You've got to learn to live with that.

"For James it's a silly thing to do and I'm sure he won't do it again.

"Sometimes players do things with emotion. Football is a very emotional game but certainly it would have been much better if he didn't do it and I'm sure he won't do it again.

"Players are on that pitch and they have to take a lot of abuse at times from all sorts of spectators - sometimes their own and sometimes the opposing supporters."