FORMER York City defender Clarke Carlisle, who has pleaded guilty to a drink driving offence, is still "clearly in some trouble" with mental health issues, a court has heard.

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

Carlisle, 35, still bearing the physical facial scars from the crash which left him in a coma until mid-January, spoke clearly as he stood in the dock.

The former Professional Footballers' Association chairman, who also played for Leeds, Burnley, QPR 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 appears 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 had been spotted by police swerving his Mercedes and nearly hitting a lorry on Pentonville Road in Islington, north London, on December 20 at about 7am.

When the officers stopped and spoke to Carlisle, "alcohol was smelled on his breath," Mr Hussain added.

The court was told that Carlisle did not blow long enough in the breathalyser when he was tested at the roadside to provide an adequate sample.

He was taken to Islington police station but would not co-operate.