Published: Friday, 11th September, 2009 8:00am

Howard's drug warning

by Anthony Smith

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BRIAN Howard is calling for better drug education in football in the wake of Paddy Kenny's nine-month ban.

Howard was involved in the same drugs test as Kenny after Sheffield United's play-off semi-final against Preston at Deepdale in May.

Goalkeeper Kenny, 31, tested positive for the stimulant ephedrine, while Howard's test was clear.

The FA accepted Kenny, who was suffering from a cold, had not taken the drug to enhance performance.

But as a warning to others, they banned him for nine months, back-dated to July, meaning he cannot return until April 2010.

And his former Blades team-mate Howard said: "I was tested with Paddy after the Preston play-off game. Luckily mine came back clean but Paddy was struggling with a cold that week.

"Being Paddy, he was desperate to play so he popped down to the pharmacy in the morning to get something to clear it up.

"He's not one of the most sensible characters at times, but he's a great lad and I'm just gutted for him."

And he insisted: "I think you have to look at what the banned substances are. I think this was found in an adult's Calpol, but if he had taken it in tablet version he would have been alright.

"I think the rules need clearing up. We get booklets as players but they're long with tiny print and it's not easy to read.

"If you've got a cold and you're desperate to play you are not going to read through that."

Howard, who is set to make his Royals debut against Doncaster tomorrow (Saturday), believes the only answer for players feeling under the weather these days is to seek the advice of their club doctors.

"I think you have to call the club doctor as soon as there is something wrong. I recently had tonsilitis at Sheffield United. I was desperate to take something but after what happened to Paddy I didn't want to risk it.

"I had to phone the doctor who prescribed what I could take."

Howard, 26, is now calling for clearer guidelines on drugs to be introduced into the game.

"If you miss a day's training you have to send a text to the drug testers. If you don't you get a strike and it is three strikes and you're out.

"It's for the clubs and the FA to sort out but something does need to be done about it.

"I think Paddy will be made an example of but he will come back stronger. Hopefully he will appeal and it will be reduced because it wasn't as though he was doing it to cheat. It was just a lack of attention."

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