The NRL has imposed an immediate provisional suspension on Gold Coast under 20s player Travis Drought after he returned a positive drug test result to Nandrolone.

Nandrolone is a steroid-based drug derived from testosterone, which is prohibited both in and out of competition by the World Anti-Doping Authority (WADA) code.

Drought, who returned a positive 'A' sample, has the option under the WADA code to have a 'B' sample taken.

Should the 'B' sample test not confirm the result, the matter would not be pursued.

But if Drought's positive test is confirmed, he faces a two-year penalty, as accepted by Cronulla backrower Reni Maitua earlier this season when he tested positive to Clenbuterol.

Drought is the second under-20s player to return a positive test this year, after Manly's Shane Gray also tested positive to Clenbuterol.

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