Saido Berhaino drugs ban: Stoke boss Mark Hughes knew about failed test before he signed striker from West Brom

STOKE boss Mark Hughes confirmed he knew about an eight-week FA drugs ban for new signing Saido Berahino.

The ex-West From striker – who The Sun has revealed had taken MDMA, the drug found in ecstasy – was suspended after failing a drugs test in September.

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Berahino tested positive for a recreational drug in an out-of-competition test.

And Potters boss Hughes admitted he knew about the player’s problems at Albion before pressing ahead with a £15million deal to take Berahino to Stoke.

But despite the ban being made public, Hughes says Berahino will definitely be in his squad for Saturday’s trip to West Brom.

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It is a match that sees Berahino return to The Hawthorns just two weeks after leaving.

The ex-England Under-21 striker was guaranteed a hostile reception from Baggies fans.

But that is likely to be even more intense now.

Hughes said: “We’re aware of it clearly.

“It was an FA disciplinary matter.

“Saido had an eight week suspension, I don’t think it as three months.

“We were aware of it.

“We did our due diligence as with all player, but it didn’t change our thinking of what we wanted to do.

“We’ve got him in the building now, and he’s looking forward to the game tomorrow.

“We’ll play him, why wouldn’t we?

“You’d probably have to refer this back to West Brom. We're not in a position to give much more detail.”

Hughes says the player had had months of problems at Albion.

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Sparky added: “You’re talking about an eight week period - but he’d had issues at his club for 18 months. Maybe this was part of it.

"We are clear. It's a matter that's been dealt with. We move on and Saido is looking to move on.

"He's come to a club with ambitions and is really looking forward to it.

"I think he's itching to play a part on Saturday. Clearly the circumstances of the game will dictate if he gets on, but he's very much in my thoughts.

"He's an opposition player and most opposition players get a bit of stick when they go back to a previous club.

"He's probably used to it at West Brom, to be perfectly honest, so he's not going to be expecting anything he hasn't had before."