ONE-TIME England legend Paul Gascoigne could be about to make a sensational return to football - with Lancaster City.

The 38-year-old, who famously cried after the 1990 World Cup semi-final, instructed his agent to register an interest in the City manager's job.

As revealed on our website at www.thelancasterandmorecambecitizen.co.uk, he called Lancaster chairman Steve Johnston on Wednesday morning.

And now Gazza is the talk of the town with City hitting the national spotlight as the Giant Axe vacancy appeals to the former Newcastle United, Spurs, Lazio and Burnley star.

"I have had a phone call from his agent but that is as far as it goes at the moment. There has been no official application," says City chairman Steve Johnston.

"We have had several applications already but at the moment Peter Ward is in charge of the team. It is flattering but we will not be making a decision until early in the New Year."

Gascoigne was sacked by City's Conference North rivals Kettering Town amid allegations of drunkenness last month after just 39 days in charge.

He is currently in Arizona at a private clinic but his dark days often overshadow a brilliant playing career.

He scored 111 goals in 472 appearances and hit the net 10 times for England while winning 57 caps.

The Citizen understands that Gascoigne would be prepared to invest in City and that would be a major boost for the cash-strapped club which operates with the smallest playing budget in the Conference North league.