WHEN Radcliffe Boro take on a Manchester United IX in a friendly on Saturday, July 24, they could have a couple of 'ringers' in their line-up to try and even the odds up.

One of them is a Reds' legend, 'Captain Marvel' himself, Bryan Robson.

The other is best known these days as an author, or simply by his nickname - Gazza!

"I contacted Paul Gascoigne's agent when he was promoting his autobiography in Manchester," explained Boro manager Kevin Glendon.

"Chairman Bernard Manning Junior and his dad Bernard Manning Snr then spoke to him and we're confident he will be in the team to face United. The plan is to tie it in with a book signing session.

"Once Brian Robson heard about it he said he'd like to play too, so we're hoping to dot the i's and cross the t's this Saturday with both of them."

If 37-year-old Gascoigne turns out for Boro it could re-ignite a career known as much for its skill on the pitch as its tabloid-grabbing attention off it.

The most naturally gifted player England has ever produced, or a footballing buffoon, every fan has their own opinion of the man who can be immature, child-like and unpredictable one minute and sheer genius the next.

The last time the genial Geordie played professionally in Britain was Sunday April 22, 2002, when he went on as a substitute for Burnley in the 82nd minute of their First Division game against Coventry City.

He began his career with home town club Newcastle United in 1994, and over four years scored 25 goals in 95 appearances.

In 1988 he moved to Tottenham Hotspur where he again spent four years, scoring 33 goals in 111 appearances.

In 1992 he joined Lazio and spent the following three seasons in the Italian Serie A, scoring 6 goals before moving back to Britain and Glasgow Rangers in 1995, where in three seasons at Hampden Park he scored 39 goals.

A return to the Premiership saw him spend two season each with Middlesborough (1998-2000) and Everton (2000-2002), before his four-game British swansong with Burnley.

Last season, in an effort to resurrect his career, he ventured to China where he scored two goals in four games for Gansu Tianma.

As an international he scored 10 goals in 57 games for England, including a spectacular effort against Scotland at Wembley during Euro '96.

He has recently been in Portugal working as a pundit for Irish TV covering Euro 2004, as well as undertaking a promotional tour to push his autobiography, 'Gazza: My Story.'

On the playing front Welsh Premiership side Rhyl tried to register him in time for their first ever game in Europe against Skonto Riga of Latvia, but were prevented from doing so by his book promotion activities.

While Coca Cola League Two club Boston United have approached him with a view to him joining their coaching staff on a part-time basis.

Robson is no stranger to Radcliffe, he used to own 'Robson's Piano Bar,' attached to Benny's nightclub.

The former England captain became a legend at Old Trafford after joining United from West Bromich Albion.

He then moved into football management with Premiership Middlesborough before ending last season as manager of First Division Bradford City, where he has been succeeded by Colin Todd.