Keegan revealed he has spoken to the 40-year-old's family in the wake his detention under the Mental Health Act to offer any assistance he can to the former Magpies player.

He said: "It's sad, but maybe what has happened now will be a turning point for him, and instead of looking on it as something that is really bad, this might be the best thing.

"I have talked with his Dad and one of his sisters and I know it looks negative, but I think it is a massive positive for Paul Gascoigne from all the information I have had.

"This is a good thing for him and although in the short term, it does not look that way, in the long term, I think it will prove to be really important in the life of Paul Gascoigne."