Daly Cherry-Evans has lashed out at the heavy media scrutiny of former NRL teammate Kieran Foran.
Parramatta halfback Foran has been stripped of the Eels' captaincy while he recovers from a season-ending shoulder injury.
It is believed the former Manly star was also handed a breach notice and fined $5000 by the Eels for failing to fulfil his club obligations, including rehabilitation of his injury.
Sea Eagles halfback Cherry-Evans revealed he had recently been in touch with his 2011 premiership-winning teammate, who attended a Brisbane rehab clinic to address personal issues earlier this year.
But he refused to discuss how Foran is coping with his off-field struggles.
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"How he's going and how he's dealing with everything should be left behind closed doors and not situations like this," he told reporters at the Sea Eagles' base in Narrabeen on Thursday.
Pressed on whether losing the captaincy was harsh for Foran, the Manly No.7 said: "I think it's harsh that you're still continuing to talk about it publicly.
"He's going through a lot of stuff on a personal level and the fact that people still feel the right to involve it on a media level is quite disappointing, to be honest."
Manly captain Jamie Lyon said he has also seen Foran and that the Eels halfback is "going OK".
"You don't like seeing players struggled like that. If he needed help, I'd definitely be there to help him. He done a lot for this club and he's a great bloke."
"I've bumped into him once or twice. I think he's going OK."
Foran, 25, signed a two-year deal, with the option of a further two seasons, with the Eels over the summer and played nine games before hurting his shoulder in a two-point win over Newcastle last month.
