Paul Gascoigne is to return to football in a one-off "all stars" match to raise funds for Coca-Cola League Two club Darlington.

The former Newcastle, Tottenham and England midfielder will take to the pitch at the Darlington Arena on May 3 in a fund-raising friendly.

The club went into administration in February after getting into financial trouble.

The League Two side were docked 10 points as a result, and are yet to find a new owner.

Darlington today confirmed that Gascoigne would be among the players to take part in a match, pitting the players who starred in the 1999-2000 season's play-off final team against a side of north-east football stars.

Gascoigne, who last played a professional match in 2004, has reportedly begun training in preparation for the game.

The fallen star has undergone treatment for alcoholism, bulimia and obsessive compulsive disorder.

Last year he was sectioned under the Mental Health Act following an incident in Newcastle.

His agent Stuart Skinner told the Northern Echo he was working hard to return to fitness, and was hoping to play "10 to 15 minutes" of the game.

Gascoigne will appear alongside Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate, ex-Sunderland defender Kevin Ball and former Darlington star Marco Gabbiadini.

A Darlington spokesman said: "The club have many more exciting names appearing on the day, with legends from Newcastle United, Middlesbrough and Sunderland all agreeing to help."

The match was the brainchild of manager Dave Penney and assistant manager Martin Gray.

Gray said: "The support we have received so far from the fans has been superb, but we really need the whole area to get right behind us and come along to this game.

"Funds raised from this game will enable the club to continue running through the summer and prepare for next season."