Jose Baxter banned for 12 months after second drug test failure

Former Everton youngster Jose Baxter has been banned for a year after a second failed drugs test, Sky Sports News HQ understands.

Baxter, who had been playing for Sheffield United until his contract expired at the end of last season, tested positive for a social drug last February.

In 2015, the 24-year-old former England youth international was banned for five months after he was found to have taken ecstasy.

Baxter made his Everton debut in 2008, aged 16 years and 191 days, and remains the fifth-youngest player ever to have appeared in the Premier League.

A spokesperson from the Football Association said it was policy not to comment on cases where players had tested positive for social drugs out of competition.

Baxter, who scored 17 goals for Oldham during the 2012/13 season, will miss the entire 2016/17 campaign after accepting the FA punishment.