Leverkusen in doping admission

The 27-year old German international suffered an asthma attack and was treated with a cortisone injection in hospital - a method of treatment banned by anti-doping regulations in Germany.

Bayer coach Klaus Toppmoller described the incident as "a real emergency, matter of life and death," whilst general manager Reiner Calmund also praised the player for his actions after the incident:

"Thomas Brdaric behaved impeccably," said Calmund, "He immediately told the doctor that the treatment would cause problems."

As cortisone can be traced for three to four weeks after the injection, Brdaric has not been available for selection since the affair. The club officially excused his absence as being due to a foot injury before revealing the truth.

Brdaric, who is on stand by for Rudi Voller's World Cup squad after an excellent season at the BayArena, will undergo a test on Saturday to establish whether he will be able to play for Leverkusen in the German Cup final against Schalke in Berlin