Newcastle United's next pre-season opponents Atalanta have been rocked by a drug probe after defender Jose Luis Palomino failed an anti-doping test in the build-up to tomorrow night's game.
Palomino's tests showed the presence of Clostebo - a steroid banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency. The Serie A club have opted against holding any news conferences or open training sessions during their stay on Tyneside.
Before Atalanta set off for Newcastle, the club released a statement reading: "Atalanta BC announces that today the National Anti-Doping Court notified the precautionary suspension of the athlete Jose Luis Palomino.
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"Pending assessment of the following procedural steps, the Club announces that the National Anti-Doping Prosecutor’s Office report concerns the substance 'Clostebol Metabolite'."
If found guilty the defender could face a four-year ban from football which - at 32 - could effectively end his top-flight career early. If the drug was consumed accidentally via other substances he could receive just a two-year ban.
Newcastle transfer target Duvan Zapata is set to face the Magpies at St James' Park after starring in pre-season after injury for the Italian side.
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