Football: Lazio veto Gascoigne's US tour

PAUL GASCOIGNE will miss England's World Cup preparatory tour to the United States this summer because his Italian club, Lazio, refuse to release him, writes Trevor Haylett.

However, he will be available for the two World Cup qualifying games in Poland (29 May) and Norway (2 June), as will England's other exiles, David Platt and Des Walker, who will also be freed for the American trip for a triangular tournament with the hosts, Brazil and Germany.

Taylor preferred to look on the gains rather than the loss last night, saying: 'We enjoy excellent relations with the Italian clubs and I never really thought there would be a situation that we could not resolve. But I'm delighted that the issue is now cut and dried.'

All three players were named in the England squad last week, and will fly to Heathrow from Italy on 24 May.