Wolves ace awaits result of drugs test

Howarth has already missed three meetings for other teams after failing a random drugs test before a guest appearance for Edinburgh Monarchs last week.

He claims he took drowsy cold and flu medicine a couple of days before to help him sleep, but the sample has been sent to a laboratory for further tests.

Wolves will find out the results of those tests tomorrow, and while they are taking the matter seriously, they expect Howarth to be cleared to resume racing.

Promoter Chris Van Straaten told the Express & Star: “Kyle is a rider that, when he gets injured he’s back as quick as he can.

“The reason he took the Night Nurse is because he is struggling to breathe at night with pain from his recent injuries.

“We’re hoping the second test in the lab will establish the fact that’s all it was.

“He accepted a guest booking with Edinburgh at relative short notice.

“He should have known better, he’s a professional sportsman, the contents of (the medicine) do register on a drugs test.

“It’s a lesson learned, and we’re not sure how long the suspension will be. It has cost him three meetings already which is three lots of earnings.

“Fortunately we haven’t got a home meeting this Monday. Our next fixture is Monday, July 8, hopefully he’ll be able to race then.

“We just hope the authorities look at his record and put it down to a blip.

“While we take the matter seriously, anybody who has seen Kyle ride recently will know whatever he has been taking cannot have been performance-enhancing!”

Wolves have also reached an agreement with Australian racer Ryan Douglas for the rest of the season.

The club are planning to hand him his debut a week today, July 8, against Swindon at Monmore.

The process for him to gain the necessary visa to join the Premiership side is now under way and it is hoped this will reach a conclusion in time.

Van Straaten said: “Ryan had two other clubs in touch with him because he’s been riding so well this season so we had to move fast to secure the deal.

“We will announce our decision on who will be standing down once we have the visa in place.”