The Kerala Football Association dropped M. Viknesh from its group for the Santosh Trophy’s ultimate section which begins in Bhubaneswar on February 10.

The KFA had included Viknesh within the group introduced on Saturday however with news coming in that the ahead had failed a dope check taken in the course of the National Games in Gujarat in October final 12 months, the affiliation needed to change its stand.

Viknesh had examined constructive for terbutaline, a specified substance which doesn’t name for an automated suspension however his inclusion may have posed issues for the group later.

“Even though he (Viknesh) is not suspended from participating in the National championship, we can’t keep him with the team,” mentioned P. Anilkumar, the KFA secretary, on Sunday.

“So we have decided to drop him from the Kerala team. Ernakulam’s O.M. Asif, the reserve player, will replace him.”

Kerala opens its Group ‘A’ marketing campaign in opposition to Goa on February 10.