Watch James McClean spar with Baggies bomber Tommy Langford

The Ireland international stepped into the ring with the undefeated Birmingham fighter at Hall Green Amateur Boxing Club at the end of Langford's open workout for the media.

Baggies-mad Langford, who writes a column in the Albion programme, is taking on Avtandil Khurtsidze for the WBO interim world middleweight championship bout at the Leicester Arena this weekend.

And he was impressed with the warm-up McClean gave him.

“Do you know what? He was good!" Langford told the Express & Star. "He's got decent footwork, unsurprisingly, and he knows his way round the ring.

"It was nice that one of the players came down and showed their support because I've supported them for many years.

"I know he's a big fan of boxing. It was good to have him there and good to have the support of West Brom."

McClean is a huge boxing fan. He has previously sparred with Commonwealth gold medallist and Albion supporter Richie Woodhall at the Baggies training ground, and regularly uses a punch-bag at home to keep fit.

"I've got a great love for boxing so to come in and train with Albion's very own was a great experience for me," said the winger.

Woodhall was also at Hall Green ABC yesterday at an event with a strong Baggies tinge.

Albion’s players were not required to train on yesterday with no game this weekend but they are due back in today.

To see a video of McClean sparring with Langford, visit www.expressandstar.com