Jake Livermore ‘struggling with death of child’ at time of cocaine positive

England worldwide Livermore, 25, will find out his punishment at a hearing at the end of the month.

It is believed the 25-year-old received the results of an inquest into the death of his new-born baby days before taking the substance on a night out. All footballers think they are macho men but they have problems like everybody else, ‘ he said.

Bruce is hopeful that the FA will not go too hard on the player and that the mitigating circumstances will help in his case.

“He has been seeking help and been seeing some good people so we hope there will be a positive outcome at the end of the month”.

“For me, the process has taken a bit too long for everybody concerned but thankfully it’s edging towards a conclusion and the quicker the better because we need the situation resolved”.

“There are big difficulties with Jake and we have been aware of those difficulties”.

“That’s why, as a respect for him, we have kept quiet”.

‘There is no doubt he has problems. He expects to be punished, but we also have to try and help the lad. “Unfortunately with Jake he’s had problems and possibly didn’t seek the help that he needed at the time”.

After testing positive for the class A drug, Livermore was suspended by both the FA and Hull City for the remainder of the Premier League season, during which the Tigers were relegated. ‘Being tarnished with that is very bad and he’ll have to live with the consequences of that.

“As a reaction I’m shocked, saddened, disappointed, angry”. I can’t come to terms with it, if I’m being honest.

Asked about details of Livermore’s personal life emerging this week, Bruce added: “The way society is today and social media, it is very hard to keep anything under wraps these days”.