Paul Gascoigne is in hospital, his personal assistant has said, after the former England midfielder was reportedly found semi-conscious in his bedroom. Gascoigne was said by the Sun to have been admitted to an intensive care ward on Friday before being moved to an acute medical unit, where his condition was described as stable.

Steve Foster, Gascoigne’s friend, driver and personal assistant, was reported to have found the 58-year-old at home in Poole, Dorset. “Paul is in hospital, which is the best possible place for him to be right now,” Foster was quoted by the Sun.

Foster also said that Gascoigne would “like to thank everyone for the support he’s received so far from so many old friends who wish him well and want to see him back to his best”.

Gascoigne, nicknamed Gazza, is widely recognised as one of English football’s most exciting talents of the past 40 years. His clubs included Newcastle, Tottenham, Lazio and Rangers and he played 57 times for England.