Mykhailo Mudryk cleared for Chelsea return as FA lift doping suspension | OneFootball

Chelsea have been handed a significant boost as speedy winger Mykhailo Mudryk has been cleared to return to action after nearly two years out.

The Ukraine international was suspended for doping, but the ban has been lifted with immediate effect.

The Football Association’s statement said that under current scientific testing standards, the sample collected from the 25-year-old would not have been reported as a positive violation.

Chelsea have released a statement also confirming the news, and the former Shakhtar Donetsk man will jet out to Hong Kong to join the team on tour.

Mudryk’s reintegration may alter Chelsea’s transfer plans

Mudryk’s last appearance for the Blues was against Heidenheim in the Europa Conference League in 2024.

His doping violation originally carried a maximum punishment of a four-year ban, but he appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Mudryk maintained that he had never knowingly ingested any banned substances.

He will now join the squad ahead of the second leg of their pre-season tour in Hong Kong.

Mudryk will compete with Jamie Gittens and Dastan Satpayev for game time in their remaining pre-season fixtures.

The forward kept fit by training on his own during his suspension, using the facilities of semi-professional side Uxbridge FC in London.

Mudryk will face a significant hurdle in his quest to return to action due to his lack of high-intensity match rhythm.

The winger must now undertake a structured conditioning programme from the club to get him up to speed as quickly as possible.