Bath chief wants Stevens return

Stevens, who has 32 England caps, joined Bath in September 2002

Bath chief executive Nick Blofeld has told Matt Stevens the club would welcome him back once his drugs ban expires in January 2011.

The 27-year-old prop was suspended for two years after testing positive for cocaine following Bath's Heineken Cup tie away at Glasgow last December.

Blofeld said: "I have spoken to Matt about where he sees his future and what he would like to do.

"We would love him to come back to us and I have made that clear."

Stevens resigned from the club after being banned and said he turned to drugs and drink as an escape from the pressure of professional rugby.

He has already had an informal offer of a deal from Wasps board member Lawrence Dallaglio, who recently criticised Bath for not showing the England player enough support.

Stevens has spent his time away from rugby opening a cafe in Bath with former team-mate Lee Mears and learning martial arts.

But Blofeld, the former Epsom Downs racecourse managing director, who arrived at the club in June after Stevens was banned, is keen for the player to return to the club.

He also believes Stevens would be as close to being as match fit as possible when he returns as he tries to chase a place in England's 2011 World Cup squad.

"I may not have been at the club for very long, but in that time it is clear that Matt's presence at the club has been missed both on and off the pitch," he added.

"Matt has kept very fit and has even become a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu champion, which is an extraordinary feat and demonstrates again his drive and determination to succeed."

Blofeld also hinted that Bath could have handled the situation better but he believes the whole game will be better prepared should another player find himself in a similar situation.

"He is a big character with strong leadership skills and a lot of charm. It therefore came as a shock to everyone when the news broke and we had no precedent when it came to dealing with it," he said.

"We are confident now that whilst we do not see an issue such as this arising again, if it did, the whole of rugby would be better able to deal with it."

Stevens has indicated he will consider the offer from the club, but is not making any firm commitment with over a year of the ban still to serve.

"I'm very pleased that Bath have spoken to me and said they would like me to come back," he said.

"It is obviously early days for my future rugby career but Bath and the rugby club are obviously still a big part of my life and I will give it very serious consideration."