Xavier for UEFA committee hearing

Xavier will appear before a UEFA disciplinary committee hearing next week in a bid to save his career from being ended by a positive test for a performance-enhancing drug

UEFA has confirmed that Xavier will have a personal hearing on November 17 after the B sample from his test confirmed the original finding that he had taken Dianabol, a banned anabolic steroid.

Xavier was suspended last month after failing a drug control at Middlesbrough's UEFA Cup match against Xanthi on September 29.

He has denied knowingly taking a performance enhancing drug and has said he is having tests to try and establish how the substance got into his system.

Xavier, 32, is currently on a one-year contract at Middlesbrough, who would be entitled to dismiss him without compensation should he receive a ban for doping