'I thought about stopping' - Stones opens up on injury struggles | OneFootball

England international John Stones has revealed that he thought about retiring last season during his struggles with injury.

The defender featured just 20 times for the Citizens last season,  starting just six Premier League games.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, the 31-year-old said: "Last season was tough for me, to the point where I thought about stopping.

"I didn't want to do it. I had had enough of being so professional and trying to do everything right in my power, to then keep breaking down and not having the answers. It was a very difficult place to be in."

"There comes a point where you don't know why it happens and it is even harder when you put in so much effort, or you are ultra professional, to be able to play and be available," Stones continued.

"When that time comes and something happens, it would be easier to say 'well I didn't do X, Y and Z that's why' - but when you do it, it's then mentally challenging. Hopefully I don't go back to that place."

However, Stones decided to carry on and doubts that he ever would have hung up his boots.

"My emotions were high. I wasn't thinking straight. I don't think deep down I would have ever done it [retired]," said Stones.

"I said years ago when City wanted me to have a new challenge, I said 'I am going to fight'. That's all I have known since I was a kid – why should I stop that now?

"So yes, there is that fight in me and that winning mentality that doesn't want to stop."

Stones has earned 83 England caps so far, the 18th highest of any player. Should the City defender feature in both international games he would draw level with Gary Neville and potentially Jordan Henderson on 85 appearances, providing the midfielder does not feature during the international break.