Newton's failed drugs test could spell the end

(GETTY IMAGES)

The Wakefield and former Great Britain hooker, Terry Newton, could have brought his career to a premature end with a two-year drugs ban. The club confirmed last night that Newton had tested positive for a prohibitive substance with the UK Anti-Doping Agency on 24 November – during the close season and before he played for Trinity after joining them from Bradford.

At 31, the mandatory ban, if confirmed, could signal the final act of a stormy career that brought Newton 15 Test caps and almost as many suspensions. He started at Leeds and also played for Wigan before spending four seasons at Bradford. He is one of the few players to have appeared in all 15 seasons of Super League.

His absence will be a major blow to Wakefield, currently unbeaten and top of Super League. Newton is, along with Wigan's Gareth Hock, the highest-profile victim yet of the sport's determination to keep drugs, both performance-enhancing and recreational, out of the game. It has not yet been revealed which category Newton's offence falls into.

The Warrington prop, Garreth Carvell, has succeeded in his appeal against a one-match ban for illegal use of the forearm at Castleford on Saturday.

Hull could be without injured half-backs Sean Long and Richard Horne for their trip to Wrexham to play Crusaders on Sunday.