Brendan answers Ste’s Caul for help
Swansea, with the player taken under his wing following a loan move from Tottenham. Caulker, currently under contract at QPR for another year, has recently gone public with his battle against depression, gambling and alcohol addictions and revealed that in his darkest episodes he had contemplated suicide.
Caulker has sought professional help for his mental health problems but has been training on his own after he was omitted from QPR’s pre-season training tour. Rodgers has left the door ajar for a possible move for the defender, but believes the priority is for the player to find his feet before re-focusing on his career.
There were reports circulating yesterday afternoon that Celtic had already opened talks with the player, but Rodgers has maintained that his interest for now is purely on a pastoral capacity.
“I spoke to him as a former manager,” said Rodgers. “The kid messaged me. He has been suffering for the last period of time and he looked to me as someone who looked after him when he was 19 and I was only too happy to reach out and help him.
“We spoke at length about his life, his situation and just where he is at.
“He is a boy that if he can get it together and find a peace then he is an awesome talent. He is 6 foot 3, quick, strong, he can play. You would take him to war with you. He is unbelievable, both boxes, he is an incredible young footballer but he is suffering. Having had experience in trying to help him then I was only too happy to do that.
“At this stage there is nothing more than that.”
Dedryck Boyata is facing a three-month injury lay-off after damaging his knee ligaments, which could prompt Rodgers to make another move into the transfer market.