WEST Brom boss Tony Pulis sought to defend James McLean after the midfielder was involved in a couple of hot-headed incidents during the Baggies’ win at the County Ground.

McLean came under fire from Pulis last week for refusing to acknowledge the English national anthem before a friendly in West Brom’s North American tour.

This week, after Albion’s pre-season match-up with Town, Pulis was standing in defence of the Republic of Ireland international for a late tackle he made on Kevin Stewart in the first half of Swindon’s 4-1 defeat on Saturday.

The Robins’ Liverpool loanee reacted angrily, squaring up to McLean after his late lunge. The challenge did seem a little out of place in a friendly.

Minutes later McLean, who was booed by sections of the crowd throughout, had his own red-mist moment. Having been brought down by Nathan Byrne, the 26-year-old quickly turned on the Town man and had to be warned by the referee.

Speaking post-match Pulis looked to calm down any furore surrounding his man.

“It was a poor challenge, I don’t think McClean meant it,” said Pulis. “It was a forward tackling back, it was mis-timed and it just went from there.

“It was a tough game. The way Swindon play they make you chase the ball, it was warm and the pitch got sticky as the game went on."

McLean’s indiscretions are apparently not the only moments of controversy from Town’s pre-season. Aston Villa midfielder Gary Gardner took to Twitter to make his feelings known about a challenge he suffered during Tuesday night’s friendly.

Without identifying the perpetrator, Gardner raged about the incident that will see him miss the start of the new season.

His message read: "I received an outrageous tackle in the game against Swindon on Tuesday, it was the worst tackle I have ever been on the end of.

"Thank god that my legs are so strong that scan results have shown there was no leg break or any bone injury.”