JOSTA Dladla was yesterday informed he could return to the football pitch after a four-month hiatus following the decision by a tribunal on his substance-abuse case.

The Kaizer Chiefs midfielder tested positive for the banned stimulant methylhexaneamine in October following the Soweto derby against rivals Orlando Pirates and has been ineligible to play for the club since January 9. The SA Institute for Drug-Free Sport (Saids) had conducted random tests after the match and Dladla's results came back positive.

He pleaded guilty and reduced the chances of a severe punishment, but a decision on his future was only taken yesterday by an independent tribunal.

The ban came at the time Dladla was negotiating an extension to his contract, which expires in June, with Amakhosi. Negotiations were consequently put on hold.

His agent, Steve Kapeluschnik, said: "I can't say how they [the tribunal] got to the decision because they just told us that he has been ineligible to play since January and now he can.

"But it was a group of four guys, including a doctor and a legal guy, who came to the decision.

"Josta is over the moon about this and can get his career back on track again. Now we have to go back and start all over again with Chiefs to negotiate his contract because the discussions were put on hold because of this."

Saids chief executive Khalid Galant said he was yet to have a detailed look at the report from the tribunal, but said Dladla has served his punishment already.

"He has not been cleared because he was found guilty. But the decision to allow him to play again was taken because the panel felt he had already served his time having been unable to play since January. I still have to see the entire document and we will only comment further tomorrow," said Galant.

Chiefs said in a statement "standard processes" will be followed with regards to negotiating a new contract for Dladla, 34.