Mario Vuskovic (21) of second division club Hamburger SV has been given more time to make his statement in his doping case.

The German Football Association (DFB) has granted “the renewed request for an extension of the deadline by the lawyers” of the Croatian, according to a statement. Vuskovic must now make a statement by 17 January. “After that, the DFB Control Committee and the DFB Sports Court will decide on the progress of the proceedings,” the DFB added.

EPO was found in a doping sample taken from Vuskovic on 16 September, and he has been provisionally suspended since 15 December. Vuskovic maintains his innocence.