Former Ipswich Town defender Josh Yorweth has been sacked by Peterborough and is facing a four-year ban after avoiding a drugs test after taking cocaine.

East Anglian Daily Times: Josh Yorwerth in action at Shelbourne in 2015Josh Yorwerth in action at Shelbourne in 2015

Central defender Yorwerth, who made three appearances for the Blues during the 2015/16 season, faces the ban after admitting using the drug at an FA hearing, according to the Daily Mail.

The report says testers arrived at his house in September but that the 23-year-old did not answer the door, having taken the drug the previous weekend. The report says he believed a positive test would have resulted in a two-year ban, rather than the maximum three-month suspension under anti-doping rules.

Had he taken the test he would have remained anonymous, even if it had been positive.

The FA have yet to announce the ban but Peterborough issued a statement this afternoon, revealing they are terminating the Welsh defender’s contract.

MORE: ‘I’ll do everything I can to take that pressure... I want to score’ - Quaner ready to step into Keane’s shoes

“Peterborough United Football Club have been working with Josh Yorwerth over the past few months alongside the PFA to try and help him overcome a number of personal issues,” the statement reads.

“The board of directors have been very supportive of him during this case and a representative of the football club has been in constant dialogue with Josh throughout the whole process.

“However, following the two charges made against Josh (one for evading an anti-doping test and the other for taking cocaine) and the four-year ban issued, the football club wishes to confirm that his contract will be terminated.

MORE: ‘The players here are good enough to come back if the worst happens’ - Chalobah on Town’s young guns

“The football club wishes Josh well with his recovery and for his future and hope he continues to get the support he needs from those in a position to help.”

There is room for Yorwerth to appeal his suspension.

The proposed ban is thought to be the longest in professional English football history for an anti-doping offence.

Yorwerth has not played for Peterborough since September, having signed from Crawley Town last summer, with Posh announcing he was absent for personal reasons before the FA announced in December he was facing a doping charge.