Tom Cleverley Petition: Should England Midfielder Go To World Cup? (POLL)

Should Cleverley Go To The World Cup? (POLL)
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 19: Tom Cleverley of England looks on during the international friendly match between England and Germany at Wembley Stadium on November 19, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 19: Tom Cleverley of England looks on during the international friendly match between England and Germany at Wembley Stadium on November 19, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images)
Alexander Hassenstein via Getty Images

Roy Hodgson yesterday lashed out at the 10,000 people who have signed up to a petition calling for Tom Cleverley to be excluded from England's World Cup squad.

Cleverley has emerged as the scapegoat for Manchester United's dismal season but the midfielder remains a regular in the national set-up.

One England fan - Glenn McConnell from Blackpool - took exception to Cleverley's latest call-up for tonight's friendly with Denmark and launched an online petition calling for the 24-year-old to be "banned" from the World Cup.

Cleverley is described as an "inept" midfielder who does not possess "any genuine qualities whatsoever", and Hodgson is unimpressed.

"That petition does not impress me, I must admit," a visibly irritated England manager said.

"I'm disappointed that Tom, as a sensitive young man, has got to bear that burden, but I know one thing - he will come through it and when he does come through it and Manchester United start winning again, and he's starting to get praise for his performances, he'll be stronger for it."

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