ESPNsoccernet: England

Former Manchester City midfielder Michael Johnson has revealed his ongoing battle with mental illness asking simply to be "left alone to live the rest of my life".

Michael Johnson was originally hailed as a promising talent after emerging from the academy (GettyImages)

Johnson, 24, has received treatment at the Priory Clinic, which specialises in mental illnesses, for "a number of years". Once tipped as a future England prospect, Johnson was released by City in December after struggling for fitness.

He had not played for the club since October 2009 after being blighted by a succession of injuries, including a ruptured cruciate ligament. A loan spell at Leicester last season was cut short and there were rumours that he lacked the dedication of a top-flight footballer.

"I am more disappointed than anyone but that's the way it goes," Johnson told the Manchester Evening News.

"I have been attending the Priory clinic for a number of years now with regard to my mental health and would be grateful if I could now be left alone to live the rest of my life."

Information from the Press Association was used in this report.