Five Premier League players suffering from severe depression?

The chairman of the Professional Footballers' Association, Clarke Carlisle, has revealed that he has been in contact with at least five Premier League players who are suffering from severe depression.

The 33-year-old, who presented BBC3 documentary Football's Suicide Secret about mental health problems within the game, has claimed that at least two current stars in the top flight have attempted suicide.

"There were many factors in their depression, but a recurring theme was a loss, such as injury or retirement," the Daily Star quotes Carlisle as saying.

Carlisle, who took an overdose at the age of 21 during his playing career, has revealed that 30 professional footballers have contacted him following the documentary.