Irish goalkeeper Aaron McCarey denies taking banned substance after failing drugs test

Former Ireland Under-21 goalkeeper Aaron McCarey has protested his innocence after failing a drugs test

The Wolves player, who hails from Monaghan, was found to have taken a non-performance enhancing substance and has been suspended by the English FA. A statement from the club 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.”

McCarey, who made ten appearances for the Irish Under-21s from 2012 to 2014, has not featured for Wolves this season. There has been no confirmation of the substance which triggered the adverse finding.

It is the third positive test to be revealed this weekend, McCarey following Sheffield United's Jose Baxter and Hull midfielder Jake Livermore, the former Spurs man testing positive for cocaine.