Gareth Southgate has backed Paul Gascoigne to recover from his latest health setback. The Middlesbrough manager spoke fondly of his troubled former England team-mate on Thursday, describing him as the most talented player he had worked with and a man adored by everyone he met.

Southgate and Gascoigne were important members of the England squad which Terry Venables led to the semi-finals of Euro 96. Southgate recalls that period with fondness and is hoping that others will now repay the selflessness that Gascoigne has demonstrated in the past.

“I’m sure he’ll come back,” Southgate said. “He’s had some difficult times in the past and the people close to him now will be very important. I don’t know who’s with him at this difficult time, but that will be important for him.

“He was fantastic to play with. He was an incredible talent - the most talented I came across in my ten years with England – and he was loved by everybody because he put everybody else first. He would do anything for anybody. I hope the people around him will do the same for him now, because he obviously needs that help.”

It is not the first time that Gascoigne has battled against addiction and health issues.

“Everybody is an individual,” Southgate said, “but the people you have around you are very important. I’m sure there’ll be no shortage of help for Paul, it’s just making sure it’s the right help for him at this stage. It’s a sad situation, but he’s shown willingness to come through things in the past and he’s going to have to do the same again. I hope he’s okay and he’s got the people around him to help and support him. My thoughts are with him."

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