Bednar handed back-dated ban

West Brom striker Roman Bednar has been cleared to return to first-team action next week after being handed a back-dated three-month ban after allegations that he bought recreational drugs.

The Czech forward, 26, was suspended by the club on May 17 after stories appeared in a national newspaper suggesting that he had bought cannabis and cocaine.

He attended an FA disciplinary hearing in Derby this afternoon and was handed a three-month ban after admitting charges of “possession and use of a prohibited substance” – a breach of FA Rule E25.

His ban has been back-dated to the day which he was suspended by the Baggies, and means he is able to return from Monday – although the club insist they will be conducting an internal investigation this week to decide what sanctions they will take against the former Hearts man.

Bednar arrived at The Hawthorns – initially on loan – in August 2007 and scored six times last season as the Baggies unsuccessfully battled against relegation from the Barclays Premier League, although the last of his goals came in the 2-0 win over Spurs in December.