The 40-year-old ex-Newcastle, Tottenham, Lazio, Rangers, Middlesbrough and Everton midfielder is understood to have been detained under the Mental Health Act after an incident at a Gateshead Hotel last night.

Gascoigne, one of the most naturally talented footballers of his generation, won 57 caps for his country, many of them alongside Southgate.

The current Boro boss was concerned to hear about his former international colleague's plight today, but voiced his support for him.

Southgate said: "Everybody is an individual and the people around you are very important.

"I am sure there will be no shortage of help for Paul, it is just making sure it is the right people that help him at this time.

"It is obviously a very sad situation, but I am sure he will come through it.

"He has shown a willingness to try to come through it in the past and he is obviously going to have to do that again."

Gascoigne has endured a series of problems both during and after his playing career, and Southgate voiced the hope that he has the right people around him to help him with his current situation.

He said: "I just hope he is okay and that he has got people around him who will help him and support him.

"My thoughts are with him.

"He has had some difficult moments in the past and the people who are close to him now will be very important.

"I don't know who is with him at this time, but that is obviously going to be a key to him recovering from what has happened."

Southgate added: "He was fantastic to play with, an incredible talent. He was the most talented player I played with in that 10 years I was with England.

"He was loved by everybody because he put everybody else first.

"He would do anything for anybody and, hopefully, people will do the same for him now because he obviously needs that help."