Wigan Athletic star explains Fleetwood Town sending-off

The incident means McClean is facing a three-match ban - which would rule him out of the upcoming league games against Wimbledon, automatic promotion rivals MK Dons and Crewe.

But the 32-year-old Ireland international maintains he was merely defending himself against attack, and he will 'make no apologies for that'.

"Responded well to the weekend with another vital three points last night," he wrote on Instagram on Wednesday morning.

"On the red card incident, first off I am gutted that I possibly have to serve a three-match ban and not be able to help the team.

"But it's simple, if anyone on a football pitch, or off it, throws kicks, heads and punches at me (he tried all three) then I will defend myself and I make no apologies for that."

After a slow start, Latics gained a stranglehold on the game just before the break.

First, on 37 minutes, Callum Lang's cross was volleyed goalwards by Tendayi Darikwa, only for a Fleetwood arm to divert the ball to safety.

Referee Martin Coy pointed to the spot, and top scorer Will Keane made no mistake for his 17th goal of the campaign.

Then, three minutes before the interval, great work from Lang down the right teed up McClean, who controlled before slotting home into the corner of the net from the edge of the box.

Latics also hit the woodwork through Keane in the first half and Lang in the second period.