Cocaine shock as Livermore tests positive for drugs and Hull suspend their England midfielder for crunch relegation run-in

Hull City midfielder Jake Livermore could face a two-year ban after testing positive for cocaine.

The future of the England international is in serious doubt after he was suspended by the relegation-threatened Tigers.

Livermore failed a random drug test following Hull’s 2-0 win at Crystal Palace on April 25 and FA guidelines state that an ‘in competition’ violation carries a two-year suspension. 

 

Hull City midfielder Jake Livermore has tested positive for cocaine and will not play again this season

Livermore played the full 90 minutes against Crystal Palace and tested positive after Hull's 2-0 win

Livermore has one England cap which came in a 2-1 win against Italy in a friendly in August 2012

The 25-year-old only signed for Hull last summer in a club record £8million move from Spurs, but they could look to terminate his contract – which has two years to run - if found proven he has taken cocaine in the days prior to a match.

According to experts the drug is undetectable three to five days after use. Hull had not played in the two weeks prior to the game at Palace.

The FA will now carry out further investigations before the possibility of a charge.

A statement from Hull read: 'Following suspension by the FA the club has subsequently suspended Jake Livermore pending further investigations to be made by the FA and our own internal disciplinary procedures. The club is unable to make any further comment during this process.' 

Livermore pictured on a night out with Tom Huddlestone (left) and former Spurs team-mate Aaron Lennon

Livermore kisses The Only Way is Essex star Lauren Goodger in 2012 - the year of his England debut

The loss of Livermore could not have come at a worse time for Hull boss Steve Bruce.

The playmaker has started all but one of their Premier League matches this season and was set to feature in their two remaining games at Spurs on Saturday and at home to Manchester United next Sunday.

Hull are third from bottom in the table and need at least two points from those matches to stand any chance of survival.

Defeat at White Hart Lane would leave them needing victory against United on the final day, and even then results could still go against them.

 

Steve Bruce's side are in the Premier League relegation zone, two points from safety behind Newcastle

Livermore’s suspension will do little for morale among a squad which has lost its last two matches and seen relegation rivals pick up form.

The Enfield-born player was set to start at his former club. Livermore came through Spurs’ academy and made 58 appearances before a loan move to Hull last season.

He helped the Humberside club to the FA Cup final before making his stay permanent in June.

His one England cap came as a substitute during a 2-1 friendly win over Italy in 2012 and earlier this season he told Sportsmail that he was targeting a return to the Three Lions set-up.

'I've got a 100 percent record as an England player,' he said.

'I'd love to play for my country again. Mr Hodgson picked me that night and I'd love another chance. It’s something all players aspire to. Fabian Delph has shown that if you continue to play well you can earn your reward and that has to be my aim at Hull. If I play well hopefully Mr Hodgson will take a look.'