Bottled up Gazza unplugged: Will play for free in EPL

‘‘I would love to be able to go out and have two or three pints (of beer) or a couple of glasses of wine but I know I cannot do that. If I have a couple I’d want more.

‘‘I can start off with the best of intentions and I might go a fortnight like that but a couple of glasses soon becomes a couple of bottles. All alcoholics will know what I am talking about.’’

Gascoigne, 36, who is embroiled in a pay dispute with Gansu Tianma, said his drink problem flared up again during his recent spell with the Chinese B-League team. ‘‘I knew I had problems and then we got a five-week break and the league was suspended because of the SARS virus. I took the chance to go to the drying-out clinic in Arizona and get myself sorted out,’’ he said.

‘‘It was not like I was missing any matches but they (Gansu) would not pay my wages and now we’ve reached this stage where everything is up in the air. I have to get this sorted out before I can get my life going again.’’

Gascoigne, who will not go back to China unless the dispute is resolved, said his close friend, West Ham manager Glenn Roeder, had offered him the chance to train with the first division club.

‘‘It was really good of Glenn to ring and ask if I want to work out with them – I might take him up on it. We’re not talking about me signing for them or anything, just training and feeling part of things,’’ he said.

Gascoigne said he was willing to play for nothing if a top English club was keen on signing him.

‘‘I would honestly play for nothing if a Premier League or First Division club wanted me. I have heard players say that in the past but I mean it. I am so keen to prove to people there is life left in Paul Gascoigne.’’

The former England midfielder won 57 caps and helped his country reach the semi-finals of the 1990 World Cup. His career has been affected by injuries, a volatile temper and sporadic bouts of heavy drinking.