Football
ESPN staff 8y

Jake Livermore could return for Hull against Swansea - Steve Bruce

Hull City manager Steve Bruce believes Jake Livermore is "mentally ready" to return to playing football after avoiding a ban for testing positive for a prohibited substance.

Livermore, 25, was initially suspended by both Hull City and the FA in May with the Daily Telegraph and the BBC reporting that he had tested positive for cocaine.

The test was carried out after the Tigers' 2-0 Premier League win at Crystal Palace on April 25, with Livermore playing three further matches before the matter came to light.

Failed in-competition drugs tests carry a maximum ban of two years but Livermore avoided a ban due to extenuating personal circumstances relating to the death of his newborn child, Jake Junior, in May 2014.

The former Tottenham midfielder has returned to training and could feature when Hull, who are fourth in the Championship, host Swansea in the Capital One Cup on Tuesday night.

"Jake has come in and wants to get back playing again," Bruce told BBC Radio Humberside.

"I will speak to my medical team and my staff as he has only trained for six days. Whether I put Jake in on Tuesday, I'll make up my mind in the next 24 hours.

"A footballer wants to play. No one wants to sit in the stands."

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