'Is my career done?' - Millie Bright admits she contemplated retirement amid Chelsea injury nightmare as Lionesses star reveals what 'annoys' her about Emma Hayes

Bright has missed the majority of this season because of numerous setbacks in her recovery, eventually getting back involved with Chelsea in April having not played since November. Emma Hayes' side have certainly missed her, falling short in the Continental Cup, Women's FA Cup and then the Champions League, with Bright only able to play a few minutes off the bench in the defeat to Barcelona in the latter.

But the England defender has at least provided a timely boost for Chelsea as they bid to retain their Women's Super League title and she is back in the Lionesses' squad too, in line for a first appearance for her country in seven months when they play against France later this month.

Ahead of her recall for England, Bright spoke to BBC Sport about how tough it has been over the last few months, admitting: "There's been ups and downs. Most people probably won't ever know about the downs. I should probably be a little bit more open about those. I don't want to accept that I've been injured and I've missed most of the last season under Emma [at Chelsea]. That's been really hard to take. I've not been able to contribute to the team when I can see they have been struggling.

"This season more than ever has been extremely difficult. I’ve had plenty of moments where I'm like: 'Eurgh, shall I just call the season and have a break and not try any more?' I've even thought: 'Is that my career done? Shall I just call it a day?' I've not really told anyone that to be honest. It's tough."

Speaking during Mental Health Awareness Week, Bright added: "I have this thing where I feel I need to protect the ones around me. As athletes, I think we're driven into being thick-skinned and being tough on the outside - so we don't show emotions. I let my walls down, but only with people like Levi [her fiancée], my family or Emma Hayes. She knows when I feel like I'm about to explode. She's like, 'It's written on your face, I can see it. Tell me what's wrong'. It annoys me that she knows even when I've not said anything! But it's been massive."

Bright hopes that speaking out about her struggles can help others. "Now more than ever in this world you have to reach out. It's so important that you tell somebody. It allows you to gather your emotions, reset and think clearly," she said. "It helps you know that you have people around you, that can support you and help you when you need it.

"Sometimes when you're struggling, you feel so alone – but there's people in the same position and probably not really knowing where to go." Just kickstart that conversation to say: 'I'm struggling.' You don't have to be a superhero and save yourself. Someone else can do that. I imagine there are so many people around every person that loves and cares for them. It's easier to fight with people around you than doing it alone."

The defender is back available for Chelsea's final two games of the WSL season, with two wins likely to seal a fifth successive title, and then she will head off on England duty as the Lionesses prepare for a doubleheader with France.