Sydney Roosters prop Martin Kennedy will likely be provisionally suspended from the NRL by the close of business on Thursday, ahead of his anti-doping hearing.

Kennedy was issued with an infraction notice by the NRL late on Wednesday afternoon, with the game’s governing body alleging the 26-year-old breached the code’s anti-doping policy “through the possession and attempted use of banned substances”.

Under the WADA and ASADA codes, to which the NRL is a signatory, the offence carries a two-year ban.

The 82-match NRL forward has 24 hours to initially respond to the infraction notice.

He can voluntarily stand down from playing and training duties.

If he chooses not to, the NRL is likely to suspend him regardless.

Kennedy will then front the NRL’s anti-doping tribunal, which is chaired by an independent legal official, Ian Callinan QC.

Under the NRL’s and ASADA’s anti-doping provisions, Kennedy has the right to have his case “expedited” before the tribunal.

Depending on how quickly Kennedy can put together his case, that could happen as soon as this month.

The infraction notice is understood to centre around ASADA’s investigation into Kennedy’s activities at the Roosters in 2013. The same investigation led to allegations against former NRL winger Sandor Earl.

Kennedy made his NRL debut with the Roosters in 2009, before moving to Brisbane last year.

He returned to the Eastern Suburbs-based club this season, but didn’t play in their opening two NRL games of 2015.

The club released a statement in response to the allegations against Kennedy.

“The club has only today (Wednesday) been made aware of the allegations against Kennedy and wishes to reinforce that the club maintains the absolute highest standards in its own policies and governance,” the statement read.

“The Roosters will not be making any further comment until Kennedy has had the opportunity to respond to the NRL.”