Mamadou Sakho now knows when to expect Uefa verdict for failed drugs test

Mamadou Sakho's career could very well be defined by the coming days.

The France international is currently kicking his heels as his team-mates are getting for the European Championships. The centre-half has been outside football for the last month, after UEFA banned him for a failed drugs test following Liverpool's Europa League success over Manchester United in March. The former PSG player was banned after his drug sample failed a routine test, with an alleged fat burner found in his system by Uefa testers. His 30-day mandatory ban from the governing body is due to end this Saturday, and reports in France suggest the international will know his long-term fate early next week. L'Equipe are suggesting today that Sakho could face a ban ranging from six months up to two years, with his career in football likely to be defined by the punishment. Sakho's long-term future at Liverpool may well be under consideration depending on the outcome of the Uefa ban, with Jurgen Klopp keen to know what his defensive options will be for next season as soon as possible. Martin Skrtel is already being allowed leave the club, and with Kolo Toure unlikely to be offered a new contract, Klopp may well need to purchase one or two defensive reinforcements this summer to cover for Sakho’s absence, despite Joel Matip's arrival.