West Ham United captain Kevin Nolan admits he's going through one of the toughest times of his career.
Nolan has been sent off twice this season.
"The last few weeks have been among the most difficult of my career - certainly on a par with when I joined Newcastle and they got relegated," Nolan told the London Evening Standard. "That was a tough time but I came through it and when I go back up there now, they treat me well, I get respect because they know what I'm about - I'm a fighter.
"What's happened to me over the last month was very out of character. I've never been through anything like that before - but I have now and I'm hoping to prove, by the end of the season, that I've come through it.
"Things have been made easier by the support I've had from my family, friends and Lee Richardson, the club psychologist. It's at times like this you appreciate who is next to you - who is around you - and my support system is fantastic."
