Gascoigne 'improving' in hospital

Ailing ex-England star Paul Gascoigne is expected to remain in hospital with pneumonia until the end of the week, his agent confirmed today.

The 37-year-old former footballer was rushed to hospital on Friday amid fears that he had suffered a collapsed lung. He was described is seriously ill.

Gascoigne, who has battled with alcoholism, is being treated at the Princess Grace Hospital, in central London.

Agent Alex Armitage said: “I spoke to him last night and his condition is improving, he is taking the course that the doctors expected and should be out of hospital by the end of the week.

“He is only suffering with pneumonia, not the countless other things that have been rumoured.”

Gascoigne’s ill-health has been a concern in recent months and he was said to be days from death in August, when he was treated for a perforated ulcer.

Late last year a back injury also forced him to miss out on a role in the BBC’s Strictly Ice Dancing.

The former midfielder, who recently claimed he wanted to take the name G8, is believed to have applied for a new job as a football coach in Australia.