Clarke Carlisle due in court today

The 35-year-old former Claret, who also played for Preston North End, Queens Park Rangers, Leeds United and Northampton Town during his career, previously had his case adjourned as he was in hospital being treated for serious injuries sustained after he jumped into the path of a 12-ton lorry near York.

The former Professional Footballers’ Association chairman has since spoken out about the incident, which happened just before Christmas, in the media, saying he felt he “had to die”. He said he made the decision after losing his job as a pundit on ITV, going on a gambling spree and being charged with the drink-driving offence of failing to provide a sample.

Carlisle, an ambassador for mental health charity MIND, who has highlighted the issue of depression in sport, is in the process of setting up his own charity, The Clarke Carlisle Foundation for Dual Diagnosis, to raise awareness levels of the mental health problem and raise funds for a purpose-built treatement facility.