London, Sept.29 : The mother of former England soccer star Paul Gascoigne, is praying that his new love will save his life after revealing he was sober for the first time "in ages".

Carol has seen Gazza lurch from rehab to a police cell in the past few weeks in his battle against booze and depression.

He had slumped so low last week that rumours swept Britain he had been found dead - prompting police to issue an astonishing official denial.

But last night the ex-England star appeared to be on the road to recovery after falling "head over heels" for stunning blonde Sally Mulholland - a dead-ringer for his ex-wife Sheryl, 42.

Delighted mum Carol, 64, was quoted by The Sun as saying: "He was happy - and sober. I couldn't ask for more after all he's been through."

"He talked about her non-stop for two hours. In fact she was all he talked about. It was wonderful to hear him so happy. He said she has gone home but he will be going to Portugal to see her in a couple of weeks," she added.

"If she keeps him happy and sober then that's all I could ever want," she said.

um-of-three Sally - who lives in Portugal - is a teetotal non-smoker who has told her pals she is determined to help Gazza beat his demons.

ANI