Tottenham Hotspur said on Friday that they are fully supporting former midfielder Paul Gascoigne who was sectioned under the Mental Health Act this week.

The 41-year-old, who won more than 50 caps for England, was detained for up to six months on Tuesday after a series of alcohol and mental health problems.

Gary Mabbutt, a team-mate of Gascoigne's while he was at Spurs between 1988-1991 said "Gazza", as he is known to football fans around the world, will now hopefully receive the care he needs to recover.

The English Premier League club said they are working in unison with the Professional Footballers' Association, the Football Association and former footballing friends.

"Since Paul was first sectioned in February a number of people came together quietly," Mabbutt told Tottenham's Web site (www.spurs.co.uk).

"We were able to get treatment for Paul at the Priory and other clinics, but the problem was that when he was sober he would discharge himself only to relapse again. He was on the road to self-destruction.

"The Club has been kept very much up to date with everything and I have liaised with them on a daily basis. It has been a case of us all striving to help Paul through this difficult period of time."