Former Burnley defender Clarke Carlisle has revealed that he tried to commit suicide by jumping in front of a lorry last December.

The 35-year-old returned home on January 30 after spending almost six weeks in hospital with serious injuries.

The former chairman of the Professional Footballers' Association was airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary after he was hit by a lorry on the A64.

Now, Clarke, who was charged with drink-driving just days before the road accident, has revealed that he wanted to take his own life.

In an interview with The Sun, Carlisle said: "I had to die. This wasn't escaping or running away. This was the perfect answer. It made everyone happy and it ticked every box.

"I took two steps into the road and then jumped into the truck, like a full shoulder charge. I can remember that impact. Bang. Then lights out. I don't know how long had passed. It must have been a few minutes."

Clarke added that he is now on the "road to recovery".