Barnsley defender Diaby could be banned for failed drug test

Preston North End moved back into the play-off spots with three first-half goals on a night made worse for Barnsley by the news that defender Bambo Diaby had failed a drugs test.

Diaby, the 22-year-old Senegalese, is believed to have tested positive after the match at Blackburn on Nov 23 and faces a maximum four-year ban.

He was left out of the team for Saturday’s game at Bristol City and did not feature here.

Gerhard Struber, the Barnsley head coach, said: “The situation is that the process is running. It is not clear and there will be more information next week. He has had an injury but he also has a bigger problem now.

“He is still available for selection but it is not the right time to talk about Bambo.”

It was a first away win since early November for Preston, who reignited their promotion hopes in a season when no team appear capable of putting together a defining run.

Three goals in 26 minutes gave them control. The first owed much to excellent work from right-back Darnell Fisher, whose low ball was drilled home by Tom Barkhuizen.

Only bottom side Luton have conceded more goals than Barnsley and their failings came to the fore when they failed to deal with a simple long ball. Josh Harrop’s shot was blocked and Daniel Johnson reacted fastest to find the bottom corner from the loose ball.

Preston’s third on the stroke of half-time was from an even worse blooper as centre-halves Aapo Halme and Mads Andersen got in each other’s way, allowing Barkhuizen to run through and squeeze in his second. Barnsley

Subs Booked Preston

Referee

Subs Booked