Aaron McCarey ‘strenuously denies deliberately taking any banned substances’

Former Republic of Ireland under-21 goalkeeper Aaron McCarey “strenuously denies deliberately taking any banned substances” after the English Football Association placed him under suspension for failed a drug test for a non-performance enhancing substance.

The 23-year-old from Monaghan is a part of the playing staff at Wolverhampton Wanderers but has not appeared for the Championship club in the league this season.

A club statement read: “Aaron McCarey has failed an out of competition Football Association drug test for a non-performance enhancing substance. As a result, the Wolves goalkeeper is now subject to an immediate FA suspension from all competitive forms of football.

“The immediate suspension is a standard procedure whilst the FA’s investigation is concluded.

“Aaron McCarey strenuously denies deliberately taking any banned substance. The club is extremely disappointed and concerned that one of its players has failed a drugs test.

“Neither the player nor the club will be making any further comment whilst the FA investigation is under way and not until the matter has been fully concluded.”

Sheffield United midfielder Jose Baxter has also been placed under suspension by the FA after failing a drugs test his club announced.

A statement from Sheffield United on Saturday evening announced that “traces of a banned substance” were found when Baxter underwent FA testing.

Baxter, 23, began his career at Everton and is also protesting his innocence, his club said.

An announcement on the Blades’ official website said: “The club has learned that one of its players, Jose Baxter, was found to have traces of a banned substance in his sample following a routine Football Association out of competition drug test. The player has informed the club that he engaged in no wrongdoing involving any banned substance.

“Established policy in these circumstances requires that the club temporarily suspend the player pending further findings. The club has taken this step without prejudice to the player’s claim of no wrongdoing. The club will offer no further comment at this stage.”

News of the failed tests comes a day after it was announced Hull midfielder Jake Livermore has also failed a test. Livermore's test showed up cocaine.

There has been no announcement of what exactly examinations of Baxter’s or McCarey’s samples had shown up.