Berahino speaks about drugs ban

Saido Berahino has opened up on his suspension for a failed drugs test, claiming his drink was spiked in a nightclub.

Berahino served an eight-week ban after he tested positive for a recreational drug in an out-of-competition test in September while he was still at West Brom.

His absence was repeatedly blamed on a lack of fitness with the club reportedly putting him on a personal plan due to him being eight pounds over his ideal weight.

News of his failed drugs test only emerged after he completed his £12million move to Stoke, but the 23-year-old insists he did not take a banned substance intentionally.

"To be banned for something you really haven't done is hard to take," Berahino told BBC's Football Focus. "You go on a night out, you don't know who you are around and there are people who are out to get you.

"Of course, I was in a nightclub, so I hold my hand up for being irresponsible.

"From then on it all crashed down. To this day, I still cannot understand who would want to do that to me."

Berahino's last appearance for the Baggies came in the Premier League game at Bournemouth on September 10 and he has denied suggested that former manager Tony Pulis tried to protect him.

"No-one protected me at that club. It was hard not doing what I really love - that's what killed me the most.

"Waking up in the morning, playing football and having a smile on your face. Not doing that was the hardest thing for me.

"I was depressed. Every morning I walked in the training ground I didn't want to be there.

"Going from loving something and hating the place that has made you is hard to take. Hate is a strong word but I really didn't want to be there.

"That is one of the reasons I didn't sign the contracts they put on the table. It was not about money, it was about my happiness."

The BoxNation Channel is now part of the eir Sport pack on satellite , eir vision and the eir Sport App.