SPORTS DIGEST

MEXICAN boxer Canelo Alvarez has been banned for six months after failing two drugs tests, but could yet face middleweight world champion Gennady Golovkin in a September super fight. Alvarez tested positive in February for clenbuterol, which he blamed on contaminated meat, and received a one-year ban that has been halved because of his co-operation with the Nevada State Athletic Commission inquiry. As the ban is dated from his initial failed test, he will be eligible to fight from August 17. Alvarez was due to fight Golovkin in a YORKSHIRE CARNEGIE rugby union player Brandon Staples has received a four-year ban after testing positive for three different steroids. Staples, 20, was tested after training last August. The back-row forward claimed the positive test was the result of consuming a nutritional drink while in his native South Africa, but his appeal has been rejected. blockbuster pay-per-view rematch in Las Vegas on May 5. The pair fought a draw in September. Golovkin yesterday announced he will now defend his middleweight titles against Vanes Martirosyan on that date at the StubHub Center in California. JUSTIN LANGER is set to be appointed as Australia’s new head coach. The former batsman would replace Darren Lehmann, who stepped down last month in the wake of the ball-tampering scandal. Langer (left), 47, has had coaching success with Western Australia and Perth Scorchers.