FORMER Leeds defender Clarke Carlisle, who has pleaded guilty to a drink-driving offence, is still “clearly in some trouble” with mental health problems, a court heard yesterday.

Carlisle nearly crashed into a delivery lorry on December 20 just two days before he jumped into the path of a 12-tonne lorry on the A64 near York, Highbury magistrates’ court in north London was told.

Still scarred from the crash which left him in a coma until mid-January, 35-year-old Carlisle spoke clearly as he stood in the dock.

The former Professional Footballers Association chairman, who played for Burnley, QPR, Leeds and Northampton, admitted to failing to provide a sample.

He also pleaded guilty to a charge of driving otherwise in accordance with a licence on the same date, when police officers spotted him driving a Mercedes in an “erratic” nature, prosecutor Zahid Hussain said.

Deputy district judge Margaret Dodds told Carlisle he would “inevitably” be disqualified when he next appears at the same court for sentencing on May 14.

She also ordered reports should be prepared ahead of the next hearing as “he is clearly in some trouble.”

Krystelle Wass, defending, had told the court: “Two days after the incident (on December 20) Mr Carlisle attempted suicide, which is why matters have taken some time to come to court.”

She said there were “ongoing mental health issues.”

Carlisle thanked the judge as he was released on unconditional bail. He did not want to make further comment outside the court.

Since the incident he has said he felt he “had to die” after losing his job as a pundit on ITV and going on a gambling spree.

by Our Sports Desk