Samir Nasri Drugs ban

Samir Nasri Drugs ban: The former Arsenal and Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri looks set for a return to the Premier League once his doping ban comes to an end.

Nasri, who played under the West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini at City, is due to have a medical before signing a short-term contract at the London Stadium. It is understood, should he pass the medical, that he will join on a six-month deal with an option to extend his stay.

The 31-year-old Nasri would not be eligible to play until 1 January, but is permitted to train with any club from this month.

In February, Nasri was handed a six-month ban after receiving an intravenous treatment at a Los Angeles clinic in breach of the World Anti-Doping Agency’s rules. The former France international received the treatment in December 2016 while on holiday. At the time, the he was playing for Sevilla, on loan from City.

In August, Uefa won an appeal for the ban to be increased to 18 months, backdated from 1 July 2017, although Nasri has played since then. He made eight appearances for Antalyaspor in Turkey between signing in August 2017 and leaving in January this year.

Meanwhile, West Ham have reinstated their academy coach Mark Phillips after investigating his involvement in a march organised by the Democratic Football Lads Alliance (DFLA).

The club suspended Phillips last month after he attended a DFLA march through central London and later defended the group – which has been accused of Islamophobia and racism – in a series of posts on Twitter.

“West Ham United can confirm that following suspension and subsequent investigation, academy coach Mark Phillips has been reinstated to his role in accordance with employment law, and has been reminded of his responsibilities,” a club statement said.

West Ham launched an investigation due to concerns Phillips’ posts may have broken club regulations but it found there were not sufficient grounds for dismissing Phillips for breaching the club’s social media policy and bringing the club into disrepute. Phillips, who coaches West Ham Under-18s, has been given a final warning over his conduct.

A statement from Kick It Out said: “We are aware that West Ham United have carried out an investigation into Mark Phillips’ attendance at the DFLA march last month, and note their decision to reinstate him. In the interests of transparency, we hope a clear explanation of their decision will be made public.

“As ever, we are ready and available to offer support to the club around any investigation into potential discrimination – as well as advise on the best way forward when a club representative attends an event which is potentially divisive for the local community.”