Gazza in hospital after car crash

England legend Paul Gascoigne is recovering in hospital tonight after being involved in a car crash in Newcastle.

The incident took place at 9.45pm on Sunday night. Gascoigne, 43, was a passenger in the Vauxhall Astra when it was seen swerving around a corner at speed, hitting a lamp post outside the Guildhall, at Sandhill, before hitting the building itself.

The former England midfielder is said to be in a 'serious but not life-threatening condition.' A 36-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of drink driving and bailed pending further inquiries.

"For reasons yet to be established, the car left the road and collided with a lamp post," a Northumbria Police spokesman said.

"A female driver and two male passengers were taken to hospital with injuries which were not described as life-threatening. The condition of the two men in hospital has been described as serious but not life-threatening. The woman has been discharged."

Gascoigne has battled against depression and drink and drug addiction since the end of his playing career. He has also been sectioned three times under the Mental Health Act, and is currently due to appear before Northallerton Magistrate on July 28 to face trial for drink-driving after an offence in February.

Gazza was a star for England at the 1990 World Cup, and despite his many frailties is still a much loved character in the game. The Sports Chronicle wishes him a full and speedy recovery.