GAZZA FACING UP TO ALCOHOLISM

The former England international midfielder, who has battled back from a string of injuries and made his first Premiership start of the season against Blackburn on Saturday, admitted that he is constantly fighting alcohol.

Gascoigne, though, revealed that he has not had a drink since travelling to an Arizona treatment centre in June.

He believes that due to the injuries he has suffered, he has 'plenty of energy in the tank', and is constantly working on his fitness.

Speaking about his battle with alcohol, Gascoigne said: "It was a horrible cycle and I felt so close to having to pack the game in.

"When I was playing I wasn't drinking at the weekends. Not after the game, not on Sundays, when I would just relax, have a sauna, things like that.

"But if I wasn't playing I would drink Saturdays, Sundays then Mondays. Then I would try and train and it would be no good.

"I never felt suicidal, but it was a breakdown in a way."

In an interview with the Observer, the midfield ace believes he is on the road to recovery, but is taking things 'day by day'.

"When it comes to drinking, I don't look to the future any more. Because it only brings worry. I live day by day.

"I don't know whether I will drink again in my life but I didn't drink yesterday, I am not drinking today and I`ll try not to drink tomorrow."

Football still seems to be a major spur in his life, as he added: "I`m now happy to come to training, I`ve got a year left here now and I`m wanting to enjoy every minute of it.

"I`ve had years off with injuries so I feel I`ve got a good energy tank. It is only a matter of working on it. I`m not going to get that pace back but I can beat players with the pace in my head.

"I just want to get back in the team and enjoy this season."

He turned his attentions to the future, commenting: "At the end of it, I'll maybe do a coaching badge but I am not going to get forced into things. I will do things when they are right for me.

"I do want to be a manager one day. It might be ten years, I don't know when."

He may take advice from mentors like Terry Venables and Walter Smith, but it seems that he holds Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson in the highest esteem.

Gascoigne revealed that the Scot tried to lure him to Old Trafford in 1988, but he instead chose Tottenham.

"Fergie wanted us," he stated. "But Spurs finished higher than them that season and went on to a cup final.

"I might have gone there after my time abroad and I would have loved the club so much I would probably still be there now. But then I always wanted to play for Rangers.

"Manchester United is a great club and Alex Ferguson is a legend. I always say, 'All right legend?' whenever I see him."

Gascoigne appears to be looking to bring a sense of normality to his life, adding: "Some days I am down, some days I am up. It's getting the balance right. Once I do that I want to settle down.

"Hopefully everybody will let me get on with my life. I am going to."