Albion keep door open for Bednar.

Byline: Chris Lepkowski

ROMAN Bednar may yet have a future at Albion - as long as he is cleared by the Football Association.

The striker remains suspended without pay following newspaper allegations that he had bought drugs.

Bednar, who has always passed random drug tests, has already been cautioned by the police and is awaiting a verdict by the FA this month.

The Czech international is not the first player to have brought shame or controversy to the club.

Bernt Haas and Russell Hoult were swiftly moved on, in 2004 and 2007 respectively, following significant disciplinary breaches, while Lee Hughes spent three years in prison after causing death by dangerous driving. In the 1990s defender Shane Nicholson was sacked for failing a drugs test. But chairman Jeremy Peace has hinted he may show compassion to Bednar if the giant striker is cleared by the FA.

Peace hopes the governing body will deliver their verdict soon to enable Albion to make a decision.

"We hope things will be resolved as speedily as possible," he said. "We have to be supportive of him at this time because there is an inquiry going on. In the fullness of time, which hopefully won't be too long, we will want to decide what to do then. We obviously need him to stay fit but he can't train here because he's suspended."