Alexis Mac Allister can learn from painful experience as helps carry the hopes of a nation.

The Albion midfielder is comoeting for a start for Argentina as they open their World Cup campaign versus Saudi Arabia.

He had made impressive progress within the national squad, built on performance in the Premier League.

Now he could step into the starting midfield after Giovani Lo Celso was ruled out by injury.

Mac Allister played for Argentina under-23s in a disappointing Olympics campaign.

He told The Argus: “The Olympic Games were not what we expected.

“It wasn’t a great experience for us but we have to take positives and negatives.

“We know how hard it is to play a tournament like this.

“You have to be 100% in every game, try to win all of them.

“And we are very confident in ourselves and that is the most important thing.”

Mac Allister started the last friendly before the World Cup, versus the United Arab Emirates, and was in the XI at training on Saturday.

But fit-again Sevilla man Papu Gomez was in the team in the final session yesterday and appeared to be favourite for the XI.

Whoever gets the nod will help support a front three of Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria and Lautaro Martinez

Mac Allister said: “I think this group of players is like special.

“Everyone in Argentina can see that.

“We feel the support of our people and that is amazing.

“We know the World Cup is totally different.

“You have got three games and lots of very good teams. We have to cam down a little bit.”