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Jose Baxter to make Everton return after serving drug ban

Sheffield United's Jose Baxter has been suspended for failing drugs test
Image: Jose Baxter was playing for Sheffield United when he failed a drugs test and was later suspended from football for a year

Jose Baxter is to make a surprise return to Everton after being offered a 12-month contract when his drugs ban ends in the summer.

The 24-year-old, who came through the youth system at Goodison Park, is currently serving a year-long suspension from football.

Traces of cocaine were found in a routine test following a night out in February last year, the second test he had failed, and he was consequently banned.

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Baxter was at Sheffield United at the time, subsequently released in May and then handed the sanction in August.

He has now been handed a lifeline at Everton when he has served his ban and the Bootle-born midfielder is likely to play with David Unsworth's U23s.

Jose Baxter of Everton battles with Steven Reid of Blackburn Rovers
Image: Baxter was Everton's youngest ever first-team player at the age of 16 years and 191 days against Blackburn in August 2008

Baxter told The Times: "I'm speechless. Not many people get a second chance and here's me with a third chance."

Unsworth added: "It can be anything he wants it to be. As soon as he comes through the gates of Finch Farm in July, he will be treated like an U23 player and we work very hard.

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Image: Baxter initially left Everton in 2012 and went on to play for Oldham Athletic

"He will be given the same opportunities as everyone else. If that means he moves on to a Championship club or League One club later on, that will be down to Jose.

"We want to help because that is the sort of club we are. He is one of our own, but I have said to Jose, in no uncertain terms, that this is your last chance."

Baxter made his Goodison Park debut in 2008, aged just 16, but he failed to make the grade with the Toffees and joined Oldham in 2012.

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