Richmond is bracing for a fresh round of controversy over Ben Cousins after allegations the club had been forced to warn him against binge drinking.

And Tiger officials have expressed fears about the early part of the club's season being derailed by another instalment of the Cousins ''circus''.

Doctors last week said he had gastroenteritis - the issue this week remains unclear although the club said he had been under the care of a gastroenterologist.

"The results of these tests may not be known for several days," the Tigers said in a statement today.

While there has been no suggestion his admittance was linked to alcohol abuse, Cousins did have a long-term drug addiction and led a hard-partying lifestyle during his time with the West Coast Eagles. Since joining the Tigers with the very last pick of the 2008 pre-season draft, he has been regularly drug tested by the AFL.

What is now being questioned is whether the 2005 Brownlow medallist has turned to alcohol.

According to senior footy writer Caroline Wilson in The Age on Tuesday, senior Richmond personnel had raised the drinking issue with Cousins several times in the past year.

The story also claims Cousins' former manager, Ricky Nixon, has told friends in recent weeks that he has been concerned about Cousins' lifestyle and had mentioned alcohol abuse. Nixon, who split with Cousins last month, did not return calls from backpagelead.com.au.

In the report, Tigers president Gary March said he was unaware of any drinking issue with Cousins.

He told backpagelead.com.au today he would have known if Tiger officials had warned Cousins about any problem. "It's far from the truth," he said. "I am sure of we were going to discipline one of our more senior players about an issue I would have been aware of it. Craig Cameron our footy manager denied it vehemently."

The Tigers later released a statement, endorsing March's comments.

"In response to media speculation raised today, the Richmond Football Club confirms that Ben Cousins has never been spoken to individually with regards to binge drinking," it read.

"The club is extremely proactive in educating players around what is considered responsible and appropriate behaviour and all players, as part of their development, are involved in regular education sessions."

That may be the case but, as the football world knows, the Tigers are known for their leaks.

The Herald Sun, meanwhile, reported the Tigers were "confident Cousins, who has otherwise enjoyed a flawless pre-season, did nothing wrong to bring on the condition".

The report said specialists have ruled out appendicitis, severe ulcers and pancreatitis, but tests showing inflammation in the stomach have yet to reveal an exact diagnosis.

What all this does confirm, as March admitted, was the Cousins' saga was "becoming a circus again".

This fresh drama couldn't have come at a worse time for the Tigers.

Under new coach Damien Hardwick, the club had enjoyed a low-key summer and had hoped to have a fit Cousins, building on his 15 matches and fifth placing in the best and fairest last year, primed for a Round 1 showdown against Carlton.

Instead, television crews have been camped outside the Epworth Hospital, some fans have again questioned Cousins' value while Tiger officials have been bombarded with media calls. When Cousins does return to training, tipped to be later this week, expect a media frenzy at Punt Rd.

The Tigers may recently have released an ambitious battle plan for the next decade, aiming to be debt free, attract 75,000 members and snare three premierships by 2020.

But while Cousins remains at the club - he inked an upgraded deal for this season - the present will be more than hard enough to deal with.