By John Bray BBC Midlands Late Kick Off

Former footballer Clive Clarke, who suffered a heart attack during a game, has called for all professional players to undergo mandatory heart screening.

The Irish defender suffered a cardiac arrest in the dressing room during Leicester City's Carling Cup tie at Nottingham Forest in August 2007.

He never played again and retired in February the following year.

Clarke, now a football agent, told BBC Midlands Late Kick Off that players should be screened every three months.

"I think definitely in the professional game, it needs to be done more regularly," said the 31-year-old, who started his career at Stoke.

"I think it needs to be set in stone, every three months the guys get regular checks. I do think it needs to be part of the regular life of a footballer now - they get regular check ups because I don't think they do."

His comments form part of a film focusing on Burton Albion manager Paul Peschisolido, who wore a heart monitor for Late Kick Off during his team's recent win over Chesterfield.

Clarke added: "I don't think it's rocket science. You are paying these guys a lot of money. Go and make sure they are fit and well and make sure you are not having to deliver bad news to their families one day.

"I know better than most and I'm very lucky to be sat here talking to you. You never know what's around the corner so why not check against it."

The League Managers' Association offers regular check ups for managers as part of their Fit to Manage Programme, but it is not compulsory.

In 2008, 114 managers were tested. Forty had dangerously high blood pressure, 50% had raised blood sugar levels, and 60% suffered from high cholesterol.

The results of the heart monitor test on Paul Peschisolido will be revealed on BBC Midlands Late Kick Off on Monday, 21 February at 2305 GMT on BBC One.

You can watch the latest episode of BBC Midlands Late Kick Off at:

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