Al Shabab’s plans for the new season have been rocked after first-choice full-back Ahmed Sulaiman was hit with a four-year ban by the National Anti-Doping Committee.

Sulaiman, 29, returned a positive sample following April 22’s 3-1 triumph against Emirates Club in the Arabian Gulf League. Pending the success of any potential appeal, this ruling means he will not play professional football again this decade.

“Tests proved the existence of doping substances in a sample of the Al Shabab player, these being dietary supplements,” 24.ae quoted a statement by the NADC.

The announcement will come as a blow to new coach Fred Rutten, who is set to make his competitive bow during Saturday’s Arabian Gulf Cup-clash against Dibba Al Fujairah.

Sulaiman was a key performer for the Dutchman’s predecessor Caio Junior, after his summer 2016 switch from Al Dafra. He made 28 appearances across all competitions, during which no goals were scored by him.

The Hawks failed to make any comment on Monday about the matter on their social media accounts or website.

The Dubai-outfit had looked in excellent shape to improve on last term’s disappointing fifth-placed finish in the top flight and failure to build on their 2014/15 GCC Club Cup-success.

Ex-PSV Eindhoven and Feyenoord supremo Rutten has added glitz to the dugout, while they have recruited impressively in the foreign market.

Argentine attacking midfielder Tomas De Vincenti was brought in as a €3m (Dhs12.3m) replacement for stalwart Carlos Villanueva, while Ruud Boymans’ record of 19 goals in 24 games for FC Utrecht shows he should solve their problem striking position.

Shabab have retained Moldova forward Henrique Luvannor and Uzbekistan defensie midfielder Azizbek Haydarov. They have been quiet in the domestic market, only added Dubai CSC prospect Mohammed Ibrahim.