Bednar cleared to play after ban backdated

West Brom’s Czech 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 26-year-old 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 on Wednesday and was handed a three-month ban after admitting charges of “possession and use of a prohibited substance”.

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 joined West Brom from Scottish side Hearts in August 2007, initially on loan before the deal was made permanent at a cost of 2.3million pounds last summer.

The striker was a revelation in his first season at The Hawthorns, finding the net 17 times in 22 starts as West Brom won promotion to the Premier League.

Bednar signed for Hearts from Czech club Mlada Boleslav in July 2005.

West Brom were relegated from the Premier League last season.