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Gascoihne and Mabbutt at a Spurs match in 2011. Stephen Pond/EMPICS Sport
Rehab

Mabbutt allays fears for Gascoigne's life after intensive care scare

The footballer’s former Tottenham teammate told Sky Sports that Gazza is ‘on the road to recovery’.

GARY MABBUTT HAS eased fears over the health of former Paul Gascoigne after it emerged his former Tottenham Hotspur teammate was in intensive care in America.

The 45-year-old is undergoing a detox programme in Tucson, Arizona as part of rehabilitation for alcohol addiction.

Sunday newspapers, including the Guardian and Telegraph, reported this morning that Gascoigne was in intensive care after being ‘rushed to hospital’.

Mabbutt, captain of Spurs during Gascoigne’s time there, told Sky Sports News that his condition is not life-threatening.

He said, “The first part of the treatment was the detox and unfortunately Paul had a very bad reaction to the detox which meant that as a precaution he was moved from the clinic to a hospital where he was put in intensive care so that they could monitor him.”

He added, “I spoke to his medical team here in the UK who spoke to Paul this morning.

It’s not a life-threatening situation and Paul is back on the road to recovery and hopefully soon he will be back into the clinic to continue his rehab.

“Over the years he has had a lot of support from the football family, but of course it could be a long road to recovery.

“Now Paul’s asked for the help we can focus on getting through this.”

Gascoigne, affectionately known to many football supporters as Gazza, played 57 times for England and represented clubs such as Newcastle, Lazio and Glasgow Rangers.

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