A bucket of syringes found at the Australian Institute of Sport cycling headquarters will likely be sent for DNA and fingerprint testing, it was reported.

The Australian newspaper said a makeshift syringe bucket was being held as evidence by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

It may be tested as part of an independent inquiry into allegations that cyclist Mark French's room at the headquarters was used by five other cyclists for injecting.

On Monday the Australian Olympic Committee slapped a life ban on French, 19, over trafficking in banned performance-enhancing substances.

The ban could be reduced to eight years if French gives evidence against others suspected of be involvement in the affair, including two potential Athens gold medallists.

The newspaper said it was understood Sports Minister Rod Kemp had been advised by the Australian Sports Commission that the testing could form part of the inquiry.

Mr Kemp expressed concern at delays in determining the case.

The Australian reported it understood the delay was caused by French being allowed to take part in a 10-week race series.

The inquiry, headed by retired judge Justice Robert Anderson QC, has less than three weeks to prove or deny French's claims.

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