Lyle Foster with the Burnley coaches. Photo: SportsBible via X / Isosport / MB Media. SportsBible
Pray for Lyle Foster: Mental illness takes toll on star striker
Premier League side Burnley have provided another update on Lyle Foster’s absence from the squad, revealing that the South African is fighting recurring mental health issues.
Lyle Foster with the Burnley coaches. Photo: SportsBible via X / Isosport / MB Media. SportsBible
Burnley confirmed on Thursday that Lyle Foster, their South Africa forward, has entered specialist care to provide him with the support and help needed to get him back to full health.
The Bafana Bafana striker has been a revelation for Burnley this season, scoring three goals in eight appearances.
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But the 23-year-old has not featured in the club’s last two matches and on Thursday the club released an official statement regarding his mysterious absence.
In the statement posted on the club’s website, the Clarets said that Foster “reached out for help” and that they’re doing “all we can to provide everything he needs to get better”.
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“On behalf of Lyle Foster and his family they have asked us to share with you an update on Lyle’s illness.”
“Recently, Lyle let us know that he continues to live with issues around his mental well-being and has reached out for help.”
“He is currently in the care of specialists – giving him the support and care he needs to help him back to full health.”
“With the love and support of his family and everyone at Burnley Football Club we will do all we can to provide everything he needs to get better.”
“We ask for your understanding and respect Lyle Foster’s privacy around this matter and will not be making any more comment until further notice.”
BURNLEY BOSS PRAISE STRIKER FOR OPENING UP
Burnley manager Vincent Kompany says the club were fortunate that Foster was open about the issues.
“Lyle Foster has been having issues with his mental well being and as a club, we’ve very quickly, naturally made the decision to fully support him, support his family,” Kompany told Sky Sports.
“Obviously offer him access to all the experties and clinical support that he needs. We’re wishing him a speedy recovery and we wishing to be in a better place by the time he’s ready to come back to us.”
“We were very fortunate that Lyle had been very open with us. From the moment he has been open with us, we were able to act so as soon as showed signs of how severe it was for him, I think straight away the entire support team in the club just mobilised and we made sure he could focus on his own recovery and I think in moments like this you have to put the human Irst and that’s what we did.”
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