The Manchester City ace was voted PFA player of the year last season but has been unable to follow it up this term and revealed that a combination of off-field matters and ankle ligament damage sustained against Manchester United last month has hampered him this year.

Foden said: "It’s been difficult. I picked up an ankle injury against United and it took time to heal before I could push myself back in training. 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 played with it in the last couple of months.

"It’s been a frustrating season. I’ve had a lot of things going on off the pitch mentally. Sometimes there’s things in life bigger than football. This season I’ve struggled a little bit. Hopefully come next year I can get my head mentally right, get back where I left the season before because I know what I’m capable of doing and the quality I have."

Foden is grateful for his club's support during the difficult time and is determined to get back to his best for City next season.

The England international said: "The club has been so supportive. I can’t thank them enough. I know if everything was OK [off the pitch] I’d definitely be better on the field. Sometimes things happen and you have to deal with it and move on. Now it’s about improving and getting back to my best. I know my standards and what I can reach."

Foden revealed that he may ask to miss England's matches next month to recover his fitness as he prepares for the Club World Cup with City this summer.

He said: "It’s a difficult situation 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 maybe better to rest and get my ankle fully 100 per cent back."