Coady confident gay players will soon become "part of everyday life in football"

Conor Coady, the Wolves and England star, believes that there will soon be a time when a player coming out as gay will be "part of everyday life in football".

Last month Adelaide United star Josh Cavallo fought back tears as he came out as the world's first openly gay professional footballers playing at the top level.

The 21-year-old said he had been "living a double life" and that he grew up "ashamed" he would not be able to play football and be gay.

His decision to come out was praised by many figures within the sport including Gerard Pique and Jordan Henderson.

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Earlier this year, Coady was named Football Ally of the Year at the British LGBT Awards.

It followed his involvement in a prominent Rainbow Laces event where he directly stated that any player struggling with their sexuality or identity should feel they have a confidante in him.

Speaking to Goal.com, Coady said: "As a footballer, I can say that if anyone wants to come out, wants to speak to me, have a chat about things, then anyone in our dressing room would be open.

"I have never come across a footballer where this would actually affect them [negatively], if a player wanted to do that.

"By the way, I think the first player to do it would get a reaction, then for me, it would just become everyday life. That's something everyone is waiting for."

Coady believes that football should be inclusive for anyone, regardless of race, religion or sexuality.

And he believes that with regards the Rainbow Laces initiative, more could and should be done to help LGBTQ people feel more included.

He added: "I'm a big advocate that our sport is the best sport in the world, and I honestly believe it should be a sport for everybody. We should try our best to make everyone feel included, feel as one.

"Equality is a massive word, and when it comes to LGBTQ stuff, I'm big on making people feel involved. If someone wants to enjoy watching or playing football but is not feeling part of it, that would be horrible.

"The word equality is massive for me, and if I can help anyone in any way possible, that's a really big part of it.

"We obviously do Rainbow Laces once a year, once a season we wear the captain's armband and people talk a lot more. We can do more of that, week in week out, instead of once a season.

"It's hard for me to come up with ideas as I'm not in charge, but the stuff we do already is good, and we can always do more for helping LGBTQ people."