31.08.2014 12:26 h

I'll beat alcohol, says troubled Gascoigne

Troubled former England star Paul Gascoigne has told a British newspaper he will overcome his problems with alcoholism after recently being hospitalised following a drinking binge.

Pictures emerged last week of the 47-year-old former midfielder looking haggard and frail as he was led to an ambulance following a relapse in his battle to stay clear of alcohol.

Gascoigne said he had been clean for seven months, but had turned to alcohol after discovering that the lease on his apartment in the south-coast town of Poole was not being renewed.

"I know I can overcome this. I am an alcoholic so I am taking one day at a time, but I will get there," Gascoigne told the Sunday Mirror.

"Up until a few weeks ago, I was doing great. I have an illness and I had a bad moment. Now I want to make sure it doesn't happen again."

Regarded as one of the most talented footballers England has ever produced, Gascoigne, popularly known as 'Gazza', starred for Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, Lazio and Rangers during his playing days.

He produced iconic moments with England, crying after being booked against West Germany in the semi-finals of the 1990 World Cup, which would have ruled him out of the final, and scoring a memorable volley against Scotland at the 1996 European Championship.

But he has struggled with drug and alcohol problems since retiring and was sectioned under the Mental Health Act in February 2008.