A west Cumbrian rugby league player has been banned from all sport for four years, it was confirmed today.

John Todd, who is registered with Championship side Whitehaven, received the suspension following an anti-doping rule violation.

He tested positive for the anabolic steroid nandrolone following an out of competition test on November 27 last year, says a UK Anti-Doping statement.

Todd, 23, from Maryport, admitted the breach and the National Anti-Doping Panel imposed the four year ban, which runs from December 18, 2015 until midnight on December 17, 2019.

Whitehaven general manager Amanda Hewer said: "The club is really disappointed as we do not condone the use of any performance enhancer although John had taken this before he joined us at Whitehaven but it was still in his system when tested.

"As a club we have done all we can to educate our players on the use of these substances and they know whatever they put into their system is their own choice."

She added: "We are disappointed as we signed John as a local amateur, which is what we wanted to build our team around.

"But he will now have to see out his ban and if, in four years time, he still wants to play rugby then we will revisit the situation."

Prop Todd signed for Haven after an exceptional season with Ellenborough last year and he revealed at the time that he turned down an offer from Newcastle Thunder before putting pen to paper at the Recreation Ground.

UKAD's director of legal Graham Arthur said: "This case continues to highlight the worrying and growing trend of steroid use amongst young men.

“UKAD works alongside the Rugby Football League to provide players with vital anti-doping education and resources to ensure that they are aware of the risks that steroid use poses to both their health and their sporting careers."