Sam Warns Players About Medicine

By Mark Heys
October 19 2005

Sam Allardyce has warned his Bolton players to be careful when taking treatments for illnesses in light of a recent drug scandal involving Middlesbrough defender Abel Xavier.

Xavier, a former Bolton trialist, was tested after Boro's UEFA Cup game against Xanthi last month and the results where speculated to have come back suggesting that the Portuguese full back had a banned substance in his system.

In light of this Allardyce has told his squad of players that they must run any possible treatments for illness by the club doctor before taking anything.

"Even things like Lemsip have ingredients that could cause you to fail a test these days. So, if a player wakes up feeling ill, doesn't think and takes some medicine it could leave him open to a drugs charge.

"We have now told all our players to call the club doctor if they feel unwell before taking anything as a cure."

Please note that the investigation into Xavier's use of drugs is ongoing and he has been suspended with immediate effect pending an enquiry.