Stoke City have confirmed that winger James McClean will not wear a Remembrance Day Poppy on his shirt for the forthcoming games against Middlesbrough and Nottingham Forest.

The 29-year-old has caused plenty of controversy at this time of year at his previous clubs, by refusing to wear the traditional poppy on his shirt.

A Catholic hailing from the highly-politicised city of Derry in Northern Ireland, the midfielder has previously insisted that he will be remaining true to his roots and will not try to disrespect those losing their lives in wars by wearing a Poppy.

In the club statement, McClean said: "I know many people won’t agree with my decision or even attempt to gain an understanding of why I don’t wear a Poppy.

“I accept that but I would ask people to be respectful of the choice I have made, just as I’m respectful of people who do choose to wear a poppy", McClean added.

The club added: "We will be supporting the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal by wearing the Poppy - we recognise that the Poppy means different things to different individuals and communities and (like the Royal British Legion) do not believe that anybody should be forced or even pressured to wear the Poppy against their free will".

Stoke currently sit 13th in the Championship table after fifteen league games.

The Verdict

This happens every year, McClean has different views to the vast majority of the British public and tempers often boil for a week or so until it is forgotten about.

On the pitch, meanwhile, Stoke are in decent form having lost just one of their last six league games and they need to keep focusing on winning games if they are to excel this season.