Newton hopes to reduce drugs ban

(GETTY IMAGES)

Terry Newton is hoping to have his drug ban cut and to salvage something from his playing career after agreeing to co-operate with the UK Anti-Doping Agency.

The former Wigan and Great Britain hooker, by then with Wakefield, was suspended for two years after becoming the first sportsman in the world to test positive for human growth hormone.

Newton says he has been approached by the Agency for help in the fight against the banned substance and he hopes that his willingness to do so might earn him a partial reprieve. "I've told them I won't name names," he said. "But I can help with information about HGH's availability and its effects. If that stops one young player who is thinking of going on it, that's worth it."

A spokesman for the Agency said that there was an opportunity to reduce a sanction by providing information. Newton will be 33 when his ban runs out, but feels he could play again at semi-professional level if he got an early clearance.

England are to play Cumbria at Whitehaven to raise money for the family of Garry Purdham, the player murdered in the West Cumbria shootings.