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Former England captain Gary Lineker has accused the Premier League of having a "disregard for the best interests" of the national team.

The Match of the Day presenter believes the top-flight schedule does not help England manager Roy Hodgson.

Liverpool host Manchester United and Arsenal play Spurs on the weekend of 31 August-1 September, just days before England face Moldova and Ukraine.

Lineker, 52, wrote on Twitter: external-link "Never help ourselves!"

In response to some fans indicating they do not care about the national team, he added: "I guess this justifies the Premier League's disregard for the best interests of England."

The games at Anfield and the Emirates could be played on Sunday, 1 September for live television coverage.

But former Tottenham striker Lineker, who scored 48 goals in 80 international matches, added: "Onus now on Sky and BT Sport to do the right thing and leave the games on Saturday. Time to put the nation's interests before their own."

The Premier League declined to comment.

Despite the scheduling, England players will have five days' preparation - one more than Fifa regulations require - for the game against Moldova at Wembley on 6 September. They then face Ukraine in Kiev on 10 September.

England's remaining World Cup qualifying fixtures September 6: England v Moldova

September 10: Ukraine v England

October 11: England v Montenegro

October 15: England v Poland

National newspapers reported Hodgson was angry external-link that big domestic matches have been scheduled so close to crucial World Cup qualifiers.

The Football Association declined to comment, but it is understood no formal request was made regarding fixtures, although the issue was discussed at a meeting.

Hodgson could have as many as 20 members of his squad on duty at Anfield and the Emirates.

The list of possible England candidates includes Liverpool's Steven Gerrard, Glen Johnson and Daniel Sturridge, while Manchester United's contingent includes Wayne Rooney, Phil Jones, Tom Cleverley, Ashley Young, Chris Smalling, Danny Welbeck and Michael Carrick.

In the north London derby, Arsenal's Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Kieran Gibbs, plus Spurs' Kyle Walker, Scott Parker, Michael Dawson, Aaron Lennon and Jermain Defoe are all potential call-ups.

England are second in their World Cup qualifying group, two points behind leaders Montenegro, who have played a game more, while Ukraine are a point further back having played the same amount of games.

Hodgson's men conclude their campaign with home games against Montenegro on 11 October and Poland four days later.

If they finish runners-up in the group, they face a qualifying play-off that will take place on 15 and 19 November - preceded by a Premier League game between Manchester United and Arsenal.