England football legend Paul Gascoigne yesterday spoke of his fear that the latest operation to cure an injury to his neck would not be successful.

Gascoigne is sueing the BBC over the injury, which happened when he slipped and fell during training for hit Boxing Day show Strictly Ice Dancing.

The ex-Newcastle, Tottenham, Lazio, Rangers and Everton footballer has had several operations since the accident and is now taking the BBC to court because he says the Corporation is refusing to meet his medical bills.

Gascoigne said: ''It's quite dangerous as far as I am concerned. Nobody likes having their spine messed with. I am scared a little bit but I'm ok and hopeful.''

The 37-year-old this week underwent an operation in a private London clinic to have an injection between the eighth and ninth discs of his spine.

''Touch wood there is not another operation because it was not a nice one yesterday,'' said Gascoigne.

''I am a bit scared that what they did yesterday doesn't work.

''We'll see in two weeks if that has worked. If it doesn't then maybe I'll have to have a major operation.''

Gascoigne's ill-health has been a concern in recent months and he was said to be days from death in August, when he was treated for a perforated ulcer.

Despite the discomfort, Gateshead-born Gascoigne still managed to attend a glittering ceremony in Newcastle to watch his former England manager Sir Bobby Robson receive the Freedom of the City of Newcastle upon Tyne.

In pain and rubbing his neck, Gascoigne said: ''I am taking the BBC to court. I signed an insurance form that if anything went wrong on the ice rink during Strictly Ice Dancing that they would pay for the operation.

''Unfortunately I got a lot through slipping on the ice. I had to have an epidural, I had a cannula in my throat, I had pneumonia, a collapsed lung.

''I went through all that and the BBC are saying I didn't get it on an ice rink.

"Well I didn't get it sitting in my living room, that's for sure.

''I am busy taking them to court. Hopefully I get the neck sorted.''

Gascoigne, who has battled alcoholism, said that despite success in the business world, he was itching to get back to football.

''Hopefully, when the neck's OK I can start doing a little bit of running,'' he said.

"I miss the football side and the quicker this gets sorted out the better for everybody.''