Gazza given go-ahead to smoke

LONDON, May 12 (AFP)

England manager Glenn Hoddle has told back-on-the-fags Paul Gascoigne that he can smoke his way through the World Cup. The controversial midfielder has regained his smoking habit in recent weeks, puffing away as he helped new club Middlesbrough return to the English Premiership. With questions over Gascoignes fitness still unanswered, the revelation that he is "re-fuelling"  on nicotine saw Hoddle quizzed Tuesday on whether he would clamp down on Gascoignes habit. But instead the England boss pointed to the likes of Ossie Ardiles and Gianluca Vialli and made it clear he would not interfere with the midfield players personal habits. "I want Paul to be 100 percent physically and mentally, and Ive always said hes got to meet me halfway on that,"   said Hoddle. "In his last four performances for us hes been terrific. Since then hes had some little niggles but even though hes been playing with an ankle injury hes finished the season."Now hes had a week to get it treated and calm down a bit. Weve got a bit of time and hopefully well get him fit for the World Cup."  Surely that fitness level can only be harmed by Gascoignes return to smoking? Apparently not. "Pauls been smoking since he was in Rome with Lazio, six or seven years,"  said Hoddle. "If I tried to stop him for three weeks now it might have an adverse effect."   All the things we are doing are aimed at trying to improve their fitness and give us the best possible chance this summer." But Ossie Ardiles was on 40 a day when he won the World Cup with Argentina, and theres a fellow called Vialli at Chelsea too. "  It didnt bother Ossie and it doesnt bother me. The boys wont do it publicly, but if its in a private situation, and thats what theyre doing, thats fine."  Hoddles defence of smoking will hardly endear him to the anti-smoking lobby, but the coach is determined to do all he can to make sure his players are "focussed"  ahead of their French challenge. "I wont be on the shoulders of all 22 day and night, but I will ask them to do certain things,"  he said. "That will remain private, but there wont be agents coming to the hotel."  There are a lot of things we need to make them understand to become focussed, but thats where my experience as a player in 82 and 86 comes in."