Barnsley: Gerhard Struber comments on Bambo Diaby allegations and reacts to defeat against Preston

News broke in the build-up to Tuesday's 3-0 home drubbing by Preston of the Spanish defender's alleged violation, though that he was protesting his innocence.

Diabo is alleged to have failed a test after Struber's first game in charge at Blackburn in November.

He did not play on Tuesday night and was also missing from the weekend loss to Bristol City, with Struber insisting he is injured.

But the Austrian also suggested he has a “bigger problem”.

“The situation is that the process is running, it is not clear,” he said in his post-match press conference. “We will get more information next week.

“He also has an injury but maybe he has a bigger problem than that. He will be available for selection when he is fit again.”

Barnsley's night then went from bad to worse as they suffered a first home defeat under Struber.

Struber accused his side of playing like an amateur XI in the loss, but insists the Bambo news was not a distraction.“It has not been a distraction for us,” he said. “The situation with Bambo is not why we lost against Preston, it was because we made big mistakes.

“The process is running but it’s not the right time to speak about Bambo.”

The Reds are next in action when they visit League One Portsmouth in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday.