DERRY’S James McClean admits he is prepared to make a move away from Premiership strugglers West Brom.
The Republic of Ireland winger also confirmed a transfer to Championship promotion hopefuls Derby fell through last month because the Baggies slapped a £15 million price tag on him.
And while the Creggan lad’s priority remains helping his side avoid relegation from the Premier League, he has not ruled out a summer switch if he fails to force his way into boss Alan Pardew’s plans.
Since taking over from Tony Pulis, WBA’s has slumped under Pardew and the Baggies now prop up the bottom of the Premiership with 20 points from 26 games, with just three wins all season.
Despite growing into the talisman role for his country, McClean, 28, has struggled at club level, making 25 appearances this season, with 16 of those coming from the bench.
The ex-Sunderland and Wigan ace has made six starts since Pardew replaced Tony Pulis in November.
At the weekend he was back home in Derry for a VIP reception hosted by Mayor Maoliosa McHugh after he was voted RTE’s Sports Personality of the Year over his outstanding performances for the Republic in its World Cup qualifiers.
Said big-hearted James::“I want regular football, wherever that may be.
“If it’s the right fit for me and it provides me with regular football, then I’m open to anything.
“I just want to play football. I’m 28 now and the last 18 months have been really frustrating.
“I feel that I’m at my best when I get a run of games. I feel that’s eluded me this past 18 months, when I would get a few games and then the team is changed for whatever reason.
“Ideally I’d rather play week in, week out at West Brom but that hasn’t been the case at the minute.
“I will work hard, like I always do but, for me, regular football is the be all and end all.
“We’re in a relegation fight now at West Brom and we need everyone pulling the same direction.
!”I’ll give 110 per cent while I’m at West Brom to make sure we get the best results possible.”
Rams boss Gary Rowett was keen on McClean but Albion rejected the approach outright with Pardew later claiming the wide man was an integral member of his squad.
McClean added: “There was no loan offer from Derby. It was a permanent deal but it didn’t materialise.t
“West Brom had their value and I’m not in the game to dictate my value — that’s up to clubs to do.
“I think West Brom wanted £15 million but Derby weren’t prepared to pay that, whether I think that’s wrong or not, it’s not up to me to say.
“I just want to play football, whether that is at West Brom or not. I can’t dwell on it.
“While I’m at West Brom, for however long that may be, I’ll give everything for the cause, like I always do.
“If I move on in the summer, no matter where I go, I’ll always give my all.
“The move didn’t happen. If you dwell on things that don’t happen, moves and what not . . . it’s gone so there’s no point dwelling.
“We’re in a dogfight and I’m ready to play my part. We need everyone fighting and pulling in the same direction.
“The squad is good enough to get out of trouble but you need to be careful because there’s been a lot of good squads that have gone down and shouldn’t have gone down.
“We’re running out of games and need to back it up by showing how good we are and by getting results.”
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