Mark Bosnich, the former Australian international goalkeeper currently undergoing treatment for depression following a positive test for cocaine, has effectively been sacked by his club Chelsea, The Sun newspaper reported.

Bosnich, who tested positive for cocaine following a random drugs test earlier this month, has had his STG40,000 per week ($A111,405) salary suspended indefinitely and with immediate effect.

The club's move was outlined in a letter sent by Blues managing director Trevor Birch to Bosnich's home which accuses the player of breaking club rules, according to the Sun.

Bosnich has not yet been found guilty of cocaine use - something which depends on the results of his 'B' urine sample. If it is also positive he faces a one-year worldwide ban from football.

Chelsea refused to comment on the report, insisting that Bosnich's future was a "confidential matter."

Birch said: "This is a confidential matter between the club, the player and the Football Association."

Bosnich, now 30, was once rated as one of the top goalkeepers in the Premier League, making his name at Aston Villa before joining United on a lucrative Bosman free transfer in June 1999.

But his career at Old Trafford, where he once played as a youngster, was blighted by injury and a high-profile bust-up with boss Sir Alex Ferguson which contributed to him ending up as fourth-choice keeper at the club.

He was allowed to leave Old Trafford on a free transfer at the start of 2001 and landed a lucrative deal with Chelsea.

But a torn thigh muscle cost him his place in the first team and Carlo Cudicini has since established himself as the first choice while Bosnich has been seen more regularly at London nightspots than inside Premiership stadiums.

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