蜜芽传媒

Pat Nevin believes footballers will always find it difficult to ask for help when struggling with any sort of illness or problem because of the 'macho image' they need to portray.

"If you show a weakness you fear losing your job. Specifically in football where the expectation is to show a brave, ultra confident front so I don't see a way of getting rid of that," Nevin said.

But former Chelsea and Everton winger Pat Nevin admits modern footballers have more resources to call upon when they are struggling, adding: "I don't think it [football] is as crass as it once was before. I think the union [the PFA] has made it clear that help is available for players.

"A number players who have come out [suffering with mental illness], like Clarke Carlisle haven't been ostracised or set aside. That's important because yes, it's an illness and like any other illness you can recover and get on with your job."

This clip was taken from 5 live Sport on Thursday 04 May 2017.