Paul Gascoigne recovering from car crash injuries

The former midfield maestro was sitting up in bed and chatting to visitors but was not expected to be discharged last night, a hospital source confirmed.

Gascoigne, 43, was one of three people injured when the car they were in smashed into a building on Newcastle's Quayside on Sunday.

A witness described seeing the dark blue Vauxhall Astra in which the former Newcastle and Tottenham star was a passenger swerve at speed around a corner before veering out of control.

It crashed through a lamp post near the Tyne Bridge then into stone pillars surrounding the city's historic Guildhall, at Sandhill.

Taxi drivers from a nearby rank rushed to help before three ambulances arrived to carry Gascoigne and the others to Newcastle General Hospital.

A 36-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving and has been bailed pending further inquiries.

A Newcastle General Hospital spokesman described Gascoigne's condition as "comfortable".

He said: "He's not badly hurt; he's sitting up in bed and chatting and laughing with visitors. He's in a comfortable condition and I expect will be with us for a few more days."

Police said Gascoigne – who has fought a long battle with alcoholism – was injured in the accident at 9.45pm.

A Northumbria Police spokesman said: "For reasons yet to be established, the car left the road and collided with a lamp post. A female driver and two male passengers were taken to hospital.

"The two men remain in hospital. The woman has been discharged."