Chelsea star Mykhailo Mudryk has tested positive for a banned substance. An ‘A’ sample provided by the winger was found to be positive.

Mudryk is still awaiting the result of a ‘B’ sample but could face a lengthy ban if it is returned positive. He insists that he has never knowingly taken a banned substance.

A Chelsea statement read: “Chelsea Football Club can confirm the Football Association recently contacted our player Mykhailo Mudryk concerning an adverse finding in a routine urine test.

“Both the club and Mykhailo fully support The FA’s testing programme and all our players, including Mykhailo, are regularly tested. Mykhailo has confirmed categorically that he has never knowingly used any banned substances.

“Both Mykhailo and the club will now work with the relevant authorities to establish what has caused the adverse finding. The club will not be commenting any further.”

Mudryk has played only 146 minutes in the Premier League this season - the equivalent of around a full game and a half. Most of his action has come in the Conference League, where he has scored three goals in six appearances, and the Carabao Cup.

However, the former Shakhtar Donetsk man has not even appeared on the bench for Chelsea's last four matches. Head coach Enzo Maresca has been claiming that the player is suffering from an illness.

In a statement, Mudryk said: "I can confirm that I have been notified that a sample I provided to The FA contained a banned substance.

"This has come as a complete shock as I have never knowingly used any banned substances or broken any rules, and am working closely with my team to investigate how this could have happened.

"I know that I have not done anything wrong and remain hopeful that I will be back on the pitch soon. I cannot say any more now due to the confidentiality of the process, but I will as soon as I can."

Mudryk was signed from Shakhtar in an initial £62million transfer in January 2023. His arrival was part of a big-spending first two years of consortium BlueCo's ownership of Chelsea.

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba was initially banned for four years after returning a test sample which tested positive for the banned substance DHEA - which can increase testosterone. However, the Frenchman had the suspension reduced to 18 months upon appeal and is free to play from March next year.