Bednar back after case concluded
Albion striker Roman Bednar is set to return to training on Monday despite admitting using cocaine.
The Czech Republic international has been handed a three-month FA ban after admitting breaching rules on the possession and use of drugs.
But the FA regulatory commission that heard Bednar's case in Derby yesterday back-dated the ban to May 17 when he was suspended by the Baggies, meaning the punishment will end on Monday.
It means Bednar is expected back with the first team then, although the return is still subject to the club's own internal investigation, which is set to be wrapped up at the weekend.
The charges arose from a Sunday newspaper sting that caught Bednar buying drugs from a dealer outside his Sutton Coldfield home, a week before the end of the Premier League season.
The 26-year-old will now be subjected to a two-year targeted drugs-testing programme.
An FA statement said: "Roman Bednar was suspended from all football activities for a total period of three months, having admitted two breaches of the FA's doping control regulations.
"The commission decided that the player should be suspended for two periods of three months, each to run concurrently.
"Having taken into account all the mitigation raised on Mr Bednar's behalf, including his immediate admission and apology, and the fact that West Bromwich Albion had already suspended Mr Bednar, the effect of which has been that Mr Bednar has had no involvement with the club since 17 May, the regulatory commission back-dated the suspension to that date."
He is unlikely to return immediately to first-team action as he has missed the whole of pre-season.
An Albion statement said: "Following the FA's decision, Albion are now able to conclude their own internal investigation, which they plan to do in the next few days."
