Watch the press conference in full

Speaking at a press conference Gascoigne insisted he had given up drinking and added: "I'm feeling good. I'm looking forward to getting back on the pitch."

Bryan Robson: "We felt it was better for Paul to get back to the club"

It was the ex-England midfielder's first appearance in front of the media since seeking hospital treatment for his ongoing problems.

With Robson's help, Gascoigne decided to seek medical advice for stress, depression and alcohol-related problems after a catalogue of personal blows including his omission from Glenn Hoddle's World Cup Finals squad, divorce from his wife Sheryl and the death of a close friend.

'I'll stop drinking'

Promising to deal with his problems, Gascoigne said he has decided to stop drinking.

"I've had a lot of support," he said.

Richard Wells: "Intensive therapy completed"

"I wasn't coping well and I decided it was in my best interests to get away and sort everything out.

"It was everything not just the drink - depression, stress - and the papers are always full of me and I just thought 'why'?

"But yes I will stop drinking. That's a decision I've decided to make."

Ongoing treatment

Sitting alongside Gascoigne, Robson said the troubled midfielder had coped well with his treatment and it had been decided that he could now return to the pitch.

"We felt it was better for Paul to get back to the club and still get his treatment two or three times a week

"The medical team are happy with his progress but his treatment will always remain ongoing.

"He's going to be under treament as well as playing his football."

Listen to the press conference in full

Robson, a long-time friend of the Gateshead-born player, had previously avoided any prediction on a return date but Gascoigne now looks set to start for the club in Sunday's clash against Nottingham Forest.

Robson said: "I'll be watching Paul in the next few weeks. He is training today (Monday) and though I've ruled him out of Wednesday he is a possibility for Sunday."