Riyad Mahrez passed a drugs test this week to clear him to play in tomorrow’s Premier League opener at West Ham.
The Manchester City winger got a visit from UK Anti Doping this week after manager Pep Guardiola revealed he had been left out of the Community Shield win over Liverpool as a precaution.
The City boss said that Mahrez had returned from the African Nations Cup and told them he had taken medication for a sinus problem - and the Blues medical staff could not determine exactly what he had taken, and so were unaware if it was on the list of banned substances.
As a result, City took the decision to leave him out of the squad for Wembley, in case he failed a random doping test after the match.
But Guardiola’s admission at the post-match press conference clearly spurred Ukad into action, and they tested Mahrez at the training ground. That test proved negative, so Mahrez was cleared to play at the London Stadium.
City were unhappy that there was no clarity from the Algerian FA about the substance Mahrez had taken. They said this week that Mahrez had taken the medication after the tournament, making it City’s problem.
Guardiola played the matter down after revealing that tests showed the player was in the clear: “It’s a normal situation, the doctor didn’t send the ... that was the only reason why. Everything is clear and fine.
“Our doctors said they did not know exactly. In the past one or two controls, we didn’t have it - he did it in Algeria. So it was a precaution.
“After this week they came and tested him and he’s ready for tomorrow.”
That is great news for Mahrez, who finished last season strongly with a stunning goal in the title-clinching win at Brighton, and a good display in the FA Cup final thrashing of Watford.
But his absence at Wembley means he is unlikely to start at West Ham – and that means he is already behind Bernardo Silva in the pecking order.
Injury will keep Leroy Sane out for most of the coming season, and that will afford more chances for the former record buy, who had an in-out debut season.
Guardiola acceded that the coming campaign will be a big one for the £60million man.
“The quality from Leroy - we don’t have it,” he said. “Sterling has it but you can’t find it around the world, that speed.
“Riyad doesn’t have it but my opinion during the first few games, I was quite impressed. He didn’t play too much because of Bernardo and Sterling but with Leroy we have more space - one less forward player so he is going to play. The way they are training I’ll try to let everyone play.”
