Roy Hodgson hit back at more than 10,000 England fans who are backing an online petition to oust Tom Cleverley from the World Cup squad.

‘I am not going to have the England team selected by petitions,’ fumed Hodgson. ‘That doesn’t impress me. I don’t think it’s correct that people should single out one player for Manchester United’s lack of success this season.

‘Tom Cleverley, from the moment the Euros ended, has been a part of the England set-up. He deserves to be in this group of 30. Whether he’ll make the 23 or not will depend on a lot of things, not least of all how he does in the next couple of months, but that doesn’t just apply to Tom Cleverley; that applies to a good many players.

Singled out: Over 10,000 fans signed a petition to oust Tom Cleverley (right) from Roy Hodgson's England squad

Not impressed: England boss Hodgson fumed the squad would not be selected by supporter's petitions

Hard at work: Tom Cleverley (second right) during Tuesday's training session with team-mates Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jermain Defoe and Danny Welbeck

Internatrional: United midfielder Cleverley has earned 13 England caps since his first call-up in 2012

‘I’m disappointed that Tom has to bear that burden, but I know one thing: he will come through it and when he does and United start winning again, and he’s starting to get praise for his performances, he’ll be stronger for it.’

Hodgson handed Cleverley his England debut against Italy in August 2012 and the midfielder started nine successive games until the friendly against the Republic of Ireland last May.