Hull City midfielder and England international Jake Livermore has tested positive for cocaine after failing a drugs test, and will miss the rest of the Premier League campaign as a result.
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The midfielder was subject to a random drug test following the Tigers’ 2-0 Premier League victory over Crystal Palace in March according to the Telegraph.
The results of the test mean that the former Tottenham Hotspur man—who made his England debut in 2012—will not be available for Hull for the remaining two matches of the season.
He will therefore miss a return to his former club this weekend, as well as the embattled Premier League side’s last match of the season—at home to Manchester United.
Hull are expected to release a public statement acknowledging the potential ban faced by Livermore this afternoon, but privately, will be despairing at the prospect of losing one of their key men for the run-in.
Steve Bruce’s side currently sit 18th in the Premier League table having been defeated by Burnley last weekend. They are two points behind Newcastle United, and their return to the Championship could be confirmed this weekend if John Carver’s Magpies beat already-relegated Queens Park Rangers next weekend.
Livermore, along with another Spurs recruit, Tom Huddlestone, were in magnificent form last season as the club retained their top flight status and advanced to the FA Cup final, securing Europa League qualification in the process.
However, he has struggled this season as Hull have failed to replicate their fine form of the 2013-14 campaign. Livermore won his only England cap three years ago, and following this news, it’ll likely be his last.