Newcastle Knights playmaker Jarrod Mullen has tested positive to anabolic steroids, prompting a provisional suspension from the NRL.
A statement from the league said Mullen, 29, tested positive to Drostanolone on November 29 last year, meaning he is not allowed to compete in any WADA-compliant sport while the ban is in place.
"The club is obviously extremely disappointed," chief executive Matt Gidley said in a statement.
"The club has a strict governance program, the players are regularly educated and fully aware of the consequences of going outside our governance guidelines.
"From here, there is a formal process we need to follow under the guidelines.
"We need to respect the process and in the interim the club will continue to monitor Jarrod's welfare."
Gidley, who also played alongside Mullen at the club, said the five-eighth was "devastated" but players were well versed on what is and what is not allowed.
"That's what's disappointing here," he said.
"We spend a lot of time educating our players about the risks associated about going outside the club [for treatment].
"They're fully aware of the consequences if they go outside the club and do things that we're not aware of, then there's not much we can do."
Mullen, who played State Of Origin for New South Wales back in 2007, can have his B-sample analysed. From other news sites:
PHOTO: Jarrod Mullen is in trouble with the World Anti-Doping Agency.(AAP: Paul Miller)
