England boss Roy Hodgson is urging clubs not to select his players for post-season friendlies.

The Mail on Sunday says Hodgson has written to every Premier League manager asking them not to play his World Cup players in club friendlies at the end of the season.

Hodgson is worried that players will have to play extra games instead of resting after a long Premier League season that ends on May 11.

Liverpool, who are likely to have five players in Hodgson's squad for Brazil, including captain Steven Gerrard, have set up a friendly against Shamrock Rovers in Dublin on May 14. Two days earlier, Tottenham's first team, which includes three England hopefuls, face an all-star XI for Ledley King's testimonial.