Ex-England star says time in 'Muslim-orientated city' contributed to drug addiction which 'destroyed relationship with kids'

The midfielder spent 13 years in the Premier League, representing the likes of Liverpool, Swansea, Newcastle and Nottingham Forest.

His high-profile performances led to six call-ups to the national team before he departed for Turkey for 18 months.

It was this period when the playmaker admitted he struggled being away from his wife, Daisy Evans, whom he married in 2015, and their three young children.

Speaking on the Undr the Cosh podcast, he said: "I went to Turkey for 18 months and lived by myself and it was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life.

"I ended up becoming addicted to sleeping tablets because I’d just got home from training and to pass time. I’d think, ‘what am I going to do now?’

"I was in a city that was a Muslim-orientated city. There was like three restaurants. To pass time I’d just end up taking three or four sleeping tablets and I’d pass out until the next morning for training.”

Speaking on his reasoning behind taking the pills, Shelvey admitted: “Just to pass the time And it’d become an addiction. Just an escape?

"Yeah And then I moved to Istanbul. Istanbul was a bit more vibrant city.

"You could go out and… But I was there by myself again. So I’m not one to go out by myself. I hate being alone.

"I thought to myself, if I could go one way or the other I could go and drink myself to pass time. Drink’s no good for a footballer It’s not a good tool."

He added: "But I thought instead of drinking I’d carry on with the sleeping tablets. So that would be a way of passing my time.

"Do you know what I mean? So I’m not putting on fat drinking pints in a pub. So I’d go back to my apartment and train, sleeping tablets.”

Detailing how his schedule looked, Shelvey revealed: “I’d get home at one, half one, three o’clock. I’d have a bit of food And that’d be my last meal.

"And then I’d take three or four sleeping tablets and then wake up about 12 o’clock at night, pop three or four more. And then wake up for training the next day. To be honest, it destroyed my relationship with my kids."

Shelvey also revealed that sleeping pills are very easy to access for footballers, via club doctors and online.

Upon returning to the UK, he credits his wife, Daisy, for helping him shake the habit.

His relationship with his children has also been fixed since giving up the addiction.

Following a brief spell back in England with Burnley last season, Shelvey signed for Dubai lower league side Arabian Falcons.