Phil Foden makes England decision as Man City star bravely opens up on mental health struggles

Phil Foden has asked to be left out of England squad to work on his mental health and fitness. has made public his request just days before Tuchel names his latest Three Lions squad for the upcoming games against Andorra and Senegal.

midfielder Foden, who has endured a remarkable drop-off in form this season, revealed he has been struggling for most of the campaign with personal issues and injuries.

Foden, 24, last season's PFA Player of the Year and Writers' Footballer of the Year, has scored just 10 goals in 44 games for City this term.

He suffered a serious ankle problem in the Manchester derby at the start of April and has been playing through the pain barrier in the last two months.

But Foden feels he needs several weeks out of the game to get physically and mentally sharp again - and has asked Tuchel if he can sit out England's next two games.

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"It's been a frustrating season for me," said Foden. "I've had a lot of things going on off the pitch mentally. It's one of them, sometimes there's things in life that are bigger than football.

"This season I've struggled a little bit. Hopefully come next year I can get my head mentally right and get back where I left off the season before, because I know what I'm capable of doing and the quality I have.

"The club have been so supportive, I can't thank them enough. I know if everything was okay, I'd definitely be better on the field. Sometimes things happen and you have to deal with it and move on.

"Obviously it's a difficult situation for me with the internationals right around the corner. It's something we have to speak about with the club and national team, to see if it's better to rest and get my ankle fully 100 percent back how I want it.

"I just don't know at the moment, it's a conversation to be had and we'll see what happens. I just need a few weeks off, without playing football, and obviously I can't get it at the moment. It's a bit frustrating to play with niggles like this.

"A lot of people don't know what football players have to go through, and play with. I've had a lot of ankle pain and playing with it in the last couple of months. Some people don't see what we go through."

Tuchel names his squad on Friday morning for the World Cup qualifier against Andorra in on June 7 and a home friendly with Senegal at the City Ground three days later.

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