Sunderland boss Roy Keane has leapt to the defence of troubled former England star Paul Gascoigne and called on the powers that be to do more to help retiring footballers.

Gascoigne was sectioned under the Mental Health Act on Thursday after being detained by police at the Hilton Hotel in Gateshead.

"I hope and pray he gets a bit of peace," Keane said. "We pass on our best to him because it's very sad news and please God, he'll be alright. We will all be saying a prayer for him.

"A lot of pressure comes for a footballer when you stop playing. There's a big gap in your life when you stop.

"You are used to going to work everyday and working with people. I think it is a massive problem in the game. I know the players face different problems. It is a shock to the system.

"I know the PFA do a great job in terms of courses, but perhaps we should look at it and try and do a bit more.

"You obviously see with the likes of Paul, because it's a tough time and I hope he gets through it. Please God he gets through it."