Neil Lennon knows what “depressed" Riyad Mahrez has gone through.

The Leicester legend battled depression in his final season at the club and now has offered a message of support to the AWOL Algerian winger.

“If Riyad Mahrez has depression or any stress-related condition, then he has my full sympathy.

“I've been there before, I know what it's like. If that's the case he will have the right help from the club and people around him.

“I understand how he has been feeling and how that would be a very difficult situation for him. It manifests itself in different ways, either inwardly or outwardly. It is a very serious condition and often hard to define.

“I trained every day but I just didn't want to be there. It was difficult every morning getting out of bed and putting my clothes on. It just strips you of any enjoyment in anything you do in life.

“Your food, the finer things you enjoy in life. Your family. You just want to withdraw from everything and be on your own yet that's the worst place you can be.

“That's why I would have 100 per cent sympathy with Riyad if he is going through anything like what I experienced."