Matthew Etherington has attended the Sporting Chance clinic

Etherington is being counselled at the Sporting Chance clinic in Hampshire.

He told the Daily Mail: "I have made a personal decision to take steps to tackle a gambling problem, which has developed in recent times."

The 25-year-old, who has had a disappointing season as West Ham are fighting against relegation, reportedly spent a week at the clinic in January.

He has given the same commitment to beating this problem as he does to his football Sporting Chance chief executive Peter Kay

He added: "I would like to thank my family for their incredible support during this time, all of my team-mates at West Ham and manager Alan Curbishley for their understanding.

"As anyone who has suffered an addiction illness will know, this is not a problem that will disappear overnight and the Sporting Chance clinic is playing a key role in my recovery."

Peter Kay, chief executive of Sporting Chance, said: "Matthew has been incredibly brave by confronting his problems. It is difficult for players to come forward in the modern climate.

"For any person to come forward and say they have been beaten by an addiction takes immense courage and strength of character.