Former Tottenham and QPR defender Steven Caulker has claimed support systems are not put in place for footballers to deal with mental health issues.

Caulker is on the recovery path after his career was derailed with drinking and gambling problems.

And the Englishman, who was capped by his country five years ago, believes mental health needs to be brought to the forefront in football.

"Football does not deal well with mental illness," Caulker told the Guardian.

"Maybe it's changing but the support mechanisms are so often not there.

"I've spoken to so many players who have been told to go to the Sporting Chance clinic and they've refused because they know, if they take time off, they'll lose their place in the team."