Stoke boss Mark Hughes: Saido Berahino is clean of drugs – There is no need for rehab

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Stoke boss Mark Hughes is confident Saido Berahino is clean of drugs

The Stoke striker has served an eight-week ban after testing positive for using a recreational drug during a non-competitive test by the FA.

Berahino, 23, did not play from September 10 to December 12 when he turned out in an under-23s game for former club West Brom.

Stoke boss Hughes has played down the seriousness of the latest incident. Asked if he was satisfied Berahino has no ongoing problem, Hughes said: "No, not at all."

Hughes also says the player will not be sent on a drugs rehabilitation course or education programme. "I don't think it's warranted, it's not needed in this case as an individual," he said.

"It was an eight-week ban, which in itself was a low-level misdemeanour. On that basis, he has served his suspension."

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Mark Hughes reckons there is no need for Berahino to go to rehabilitation

Hughes said Stoke were made aware of the incident by Berahino's camp.

"We do our due diligence. We were made aware of it – not by West Brom or the FA, because why would they, I suppose?" he said.

"But we were made aware of it. It's out there – they [Berahino's camp] didn't try to hide it."

Hughes tried to find out all he could about Berahino's background before signing the former England Under-21 star. "You try to have an insight into what actually went on," he said.

Tensions will be running high today as Berahino is set to face his old club when Stoke go the Hawthorns.

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West Brom boss Tony Pulis – I no longer give a damn about Berahino

But West Brom manager was adamant the striker was no longer his responsibility.

Asked if Hughes could get through to the player, Pulis said: "Personally I don't give a damn now. He's not my problem anymore. I wish him all the best. If he gets the kid playing he's got a really good player.

"This club has been absolutely fantastic towards Saido with the way it has protected him, the way it has looked after him and the way it tried to protect him from everything in any way, shape and form.

"And he should be really grateful because I have been at other clubs where the kid could easily have been thrown under the bus.

"Unfortunately sometimes you look back and think, 'was it worth it?'"

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