UK Sport is unlikely to test old samples for designer steroid DMT, which was discovered in the USA last month. The body, responsible for all drug testing in the UK, is waiting for advice from the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) before making a decision.
"Retrospective testing probably won't be necessary," said UK Sport director of drug-free sport John Scott.
"We are still awaiting guidance from Wada but it seems DMT has not got into the system in terms of its usage."
Scott added: "We are very encouraged by that, because it would seem that the intelligence network Wada is developing is catching these new substances very early."
Around 1,500 samples are still being stored in laboratories before Wada makes its decision on re-testing for DMT.
In its latest quarterly report, UK Sport announced it had carried out 1,505 tests between 1 October and 31 December 2004.
The Football Association (FA), which pledged to increase random drug tests this season, took 615 samples - the most for any individual sport.
 |  We are not complacent and we realise there is always more that can be done. |
Of the 20 cases closed by UK Sport in the last quarter, six of those related to positive tests amongst footballers.
Five out of six cases were connected to marijuana use and two players were subsequently handed bans.
Scott now plans to meet new FA chief executive Brian Barwick to discuss tackling drug use in the sport.
Football's governing body Fifa has signed up to Wada's anti-doping code, although Wada has yet to give Fifa approval that it is complying with it.
Chief executive of the Professional Footballers' Association Gordon Taylor believes the English game is forward thinking when it comes to stamping out drugs use.
"Over the last few years the FA and the PFA have developed a testing and education programme which is second to none when compared with our footballing counterparts across the world," said Taylor.
"However, we are not complacent and we realise there is always more that can be done."
UK Sport is also doing more to find out the attitudes of Britain's sportsmen and women to drugs.
The body will send out more than 3,000 questionaires asking athletes' opinions on the effectiveness of testing and the relevance of educational material.
Scott also revealed the Rugby Football Union is set to follow the lead of the Scottish Rugby Union and start testing players out of competition - including during their break in the summer months.
MMIX
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