Newcastle United midfielder Yohan Cabaye has revealed that he suffered from depression following his debut season for the Magpies.

The France international has admitted that he struggled to cope with the lack of a winter break ahead of the European Championships in 2012.

"Depression? I am not afraid to say that," Cabaye told L'Equipe. "It was that.

"But I was reassured reading the books of Jonny Wilkinson and Rafael Nadal, who both talked about the same thing. They talked about post-competition depression and the need to have a break."

The 27-year-old moved to Tyneside from Lille in 2011.