24 Sep 2013

Gascoigne still battling booze

6:21 pm on 24 September 2013

Troubled former England star Paul Gascoigne admits he might start drinking again even though he recognises it could kill him.

Gascoigne has a long history of alcoholism and recently returned from a treatment clinic in the United States, where he overheard doctors say he might die.

He is battling to stay sober, but the ex-Tottenham, Newcastle and Lazio midfielder concedes he can't guarantee he will be able to stay away from drink.

Gascoigne, who lives alone in Bournemouth on the south coast of England, described his addiction counsellors as "true friends" and says when he packed in football a lot of his mates disappeared.

He says he spent about $115,000 on "James Bond" gadgets which he says can spot if he is being filmed by hidden cameras.