Burnley has provided an explanation regarding the situation of Lyle Foster. The young South African has been absent from Burnley's squad in recent matches. It has now been revealed that he is dealing with serious mental health issues.
Foster had been the revelation for Burnley since their return to the Premier League. The forward had three goals and two assists in seven league matches for the current nineteenth-placed team in England. However, since the match against Brentford on October 21, Foster has not been part of the squad. Burnley stated in a statement that Foster is unwell.
"Recently, Lyle informed us that he is facing mental health issues and has sought help," Burnley stated via their website. Coach Vincent Kompany confirmed the news. "As a club, we immediately decided to give him full attention. He has access to all the people with the right expertise to assist him."
"We've been fortunate that Lyle quickly opened up to us very openly. That allowed us to act immediately. At times like these, the person behind the player is the most important thing," Kompany stated. He indicated that he doesn't know when Foster will return, and Burnley will not provide updates in the meantime.
Mental health issues are increasingly common in the world of football. According to the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA), more than three-quarters of professional footballers experience mental health issues during their careers.
