Jake Livermore banned after positive drugs test for cocaine

Midfielder Jake Livermore will play no further part in Hull City's relegation battle after he was banned for failing a drugs test.

The 25-year-old tested positive for a banned substance after playing in Hull's win at Crystal Palace on April 25.

The Daily Telegraph reported the drug found in the sample he provided was cocaine, which is considered recreational but as an illegal substance is still on football's banned list.

The Tigers, who are battling to avoid relegation from the Premier League, issued a short statement on Friday which read: "The Football Association has suspended Hull midfielder Jake Livermore.

"Following suspension by the FA the club has subsequently suspended Jake Livermore pending further investigations to be made by the FA and our own internal disciplinary procedures."

A later FA statement read: "In line with its anti-doping regulations the FA can confirm it has issued a provisional suspension to a participant following a positive test for a prohibited substance. The FA will make no further comment until it has completed its investigations into this matter."

Livermore was not named in the FA statement.

FA rules indicate the player could be facing a ban of between six months and two years if the positive results are confirmed.