Brent Naden free to return to Penrith training Jan 1 following backdated drug ban

Penrith back Brent Naden has received a backdated ban for cocaine use following the NRL grand final.

Penrith star Brent Naden is free to return to training on January 1 after he escaped with a one-month ban for cocaine use following the NRL grand final.

The sanction was announced on Tuesday at the end of anti-doping processes held by Sport Integrity Australia and the NRL, and is backdated to the start of his provisional suspension on December 1.

The NRL released a statement saying the penalty is...