PAUL GASCOIGNE is not drinking again he is suffering from depression, according to close friend Jimmy Gardner.

Gascoigne has booked himself into an Arizona clinic in a bid to sort himself out before his next match for Chinese club Gansu Tianma.

It has been claimed that the former Newcastle United star arrived in the States after an 11-hour flight smelling of alcohol earlier this week.

And reports suggested Gascoigne has become so unhappy with life in the Far East that he turned to alcohol again and he also quit his £400,000 a year contract with Gansu.

However, Gazza's best friend and adviser Gardner revealed the former England man is just taking some time off and is still with the Chinese outfit.

"He's just depressed. It's his head," said Gardner, who is also known as Jimmy Five Bellies.

"He shouldn't be there (China). He should be playing in this country given what he has done.

"It's definitely not an alcohol problem and he'll definitely play again. He hasn't finished, they haven't got a game for 34 days, they have got 34 days off."

It is the second time this year that Gascoigne has gone for rehabilitation. He attended London's Priory Clinic in February when his farewell party got out of hand.

Gardner's version of events backs up what Gansu general manager Zhong Bohong claims occurred.

Bohong said: "We gave him a holiday to handle his private affairs. We were in contact with him but he didn't mention anything.

"We are trying to contact him now. He should be back within the next few days."

Geordie Gascoigne arrived in China in January and signed a one year renewable contract as Gansu's player-coach.

The 35-year-old scored a stunning debut goal last month against Hailifeng and netted a penalty in his last match against Guangzhou.