PARRAMATTA’S champion halfback and captain Kieran Foran has been stood down from football indefinitely to deal with personal issues.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal the Eels superstar has been in hospital this week because of major concerns about his health and wellbeing.

It is understood he has been emotionally struggling to cope with a relationship breakdown from his long-time partner, who gave birth to their second child recently.

He has been missing from training all week.

NRL boss Todd Greenberg has been informed of Foran’s situation and has offered to provide any support the NRL can.

“The Parramatta Eels have granted Kieran Foran an indefinite leave of absence to seek the best possible medical treatment regarding a personal matter,” the Eels said in a statement on Thursday.

“The club will be making no further comment and request that the media respect Kieran’s privacy at this time.”

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The early prognosis is that the Kiwi international will miss at least three games, including the Test match next weekend in Newcastle while specialists monitor his condition.

media_camera Kieran Foran and former partner Rebecca Pope at the 2011 Dally M Awards.

The New Zealand Rugby League released a statement on Friday morning.

“The thoughts and best wishes of New Zealand Rugby League and the NZ Kiwis are with Kieran Foran, while he works through his personal circumstances. We hope his privacy will be respected during this time,” the statement read.

“NZRL, selectors and coaching staff will not be commenting on possible team selections, and will adopt the usual practise of announcing the Downer Test squad after the final NRL game on Sunday, May 1. This is to ensure all players named are available and fit for the test build-up.”

One of the biggest names in the NRL, Foran has been privately trying to cope with the pressure of football, the relationship problems and a third-party sponsorship row with former club Manly.

He has been fighting to get more than $140,000 allegedly owed from the Sea Eagles.

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He has also been worrying about the prospect of Parramatta losing competition points from the club’s salary cap scandal.

The Eels will announce that Foran has been ruled out of the blockbuster game against the Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium on Friday night.

Coach Brad Arthur has been a close confidant throughout Foran’s struggles, insisting his health is far more important than football at this stage.

media_camera Foran has been battling a number of off field issues.

Foran joined the Eels because of his high regard for the coach.

Most of his Eels teammates had no idea of how serious his issues were.

Arthur will finalise his team on Friday morning with either Mitch Cornish or Clint Gutherson the likely replacements.

Foran, 25, switched from Manly to Parramatta this year in a multi-million dollar deal that made him one of the highest paid players in the history of the game.

Despite the off-field turmoil he has been the driving force behind the Eels’ best start to a season since 1986, the year the club won its last premiership.