Landon Donovan: "I deserve to go to the World Cup"

Los Angeles Galaxy forward Landon Donovan has claimed that he deserved to be called up by the USA for this summer's World Cup.

The 32-year-old was a surprise omission from Jurgen Klinsmann's squad and he has admitted that he is disappointed to be left out.

"If I felt that I didn't deserve to be included, I would be able to live with and accept the decision, but that isn't the case," Donovan told reporters.

"If you need to judge it by events on the pitch, I think I don't just deserve to be called-up, I think I deserve to go to the World Cup. Not just for what I have done in the past, but because of how I worked during the last two weeks.

"I am disappointed and upset. I am human and I want to play in the World Cup, but I am calm and I respect the decision. I believe I deserved to be included, this is a bitter pill to swallow."

Donovan has made 154 appearances for the USA national side, scoring 57 goals.