Former England international Rangi Chase will make his return from a drugs ban with League One club Doncaster.

The 33-year-old stand-off, who won the Super League Man of Steel award in 2011 during his spell with Castleford, does not complete a two-year suspension for cocaine use until July 14 but is free to start training with his new club from today.

Chase, who has signed a deal with Doncaster until the end of the 2019 season, said: "It feels good to come back.

"I'm really excited because it's been a long time out. I've known about this for a while and it's not too far away now.

"Hopefully I can add something to the team, whether I play well or not is another question.

"I've been out for a bit so it might take me a bit of time but I'm just looking forward to getting back into a team environment.

"I need a couple of months, maybe more, to lose some weight and get up to speed to help me get ready for July 14."

Chase, who began his career in the NRL with St George Illawarra, played for England in the 2013 World Cup after switching allegiance from New Zealand.

He was a big-money signing for Marwan Koukash's Salford in 2014 but his career went downhill from there and he also had a spell with Leigh and another stint at Castleford before moving to Widnes in 2017.

He was suspended by the Vikings in August 2017 after failing a drugs test and - three months later - was given a two-year ban by UK Anti-Doping.

Chase says he opted for Doncaster because of a long-standing friendship with the club's chief executive, Carl Hall, who said: "We're delighted to be able to bring a player of Rangi's quality to the club.

"He is someone I have known for a number of years and I have always stayed in contact with him.

"We're giving him an opportunity to show what he's capable of in a Dons shirt and, without putting any pressure on him, I believe he's the biggest signing this club has made since Tony Kemp.

"I hope everyone is as excited as I am to see him play."