By Cian Locke
James McClean is on the brink of signing for Stoke City after the club announced last night that the player had undergone a medical.
The Republic of Ireland international has been heavily linked with a move to the Championship outfit in recent weeks and is expected to sign for the Potters in the coming days.
“Stoke City can confirm that James McClean has today undergone a medical at Clayton Wood and expect to complete his signing over the weekend,” stated the club.
Stoke boss Gary Rowett has long been an admirer of McClean and previously tried to bring the winger to Derby County.
McClean began his career in English football at Sunderland, before dropping down to the Championship, where he enjoyed success at Wigan.
The player made a total of 112 appearances for West Brom since joining in 2015.
Last year, McClean enjoyed a standout campaign for his country as Ireland made it to the World Cup play-offs, with McClean named the 2017 RTÉ Sportsperson of the Year.
Meanwhile, Sean Maguire has insisted he doesn’t hold any grudges against West Ham United as he prepares to lead the Preston attack against them in a friendly at Deepdale today.
Maguire’s dream of making it in England looked to be over when he was axed by United, but he battled his way back via spells at Dundalk and Cork City before clinching a move to Preston.
He said: “I was at West Ham for around two-and-a-half years.
“As a club, there have been a lot of changes since I was there and I don’t hold any grudges.”
“They scouted me playing for Waterford in the League of Ireland First Division when I was 17 or 18.
“It was a big move. I was a bit immature at the time and only a young lad.
“I went to Accrington on loan for a season and, when I came back, they released a lot of the U23s players.
“That is when I went back to Ireland.
“West Ham coming here will be a great test for us, as will Burnley on Monday night.
“It will be totally different to the games we’ve had so far and we’ll have to step up.
