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The Australian last night learned Bolton manager Sam Allardyce had contacted Bosnich's British agents Jerome Anderson and Jeff Weston to sign the shot-stopper, who has a drugs charge hanging over his head, to the club which is fourth last on the league table.

Weston confirmed the offer had been made to Bosnich. "We can't act on it until the drug hearing has been finalised," Weston said.

Bosnich, who has been receiving treatment for depression at The Priory, a clinic at Roehampton in west London, was getting better "slowly".

"He remains under the care of a psychologist for severe clinical depression," Weston said.

Bosnich, who was officially sacked by Chelsea less than 24 hours ago, has until tomorrow to prepare a written defence to a charge of having tested positive to cocaine.

Current national assistant coach Graham Arnold, a longtime friend said yesterday Bosnich "exudes confidence on the outside but inside he is crying out for help".

Arnold, who first met Bosnich as a 12-year-old at a soccer ground in south-western Sydney, said: "To an outsider life being a professional footballer looks glamorous, but you have no friends in the game and it can be very lonely.

"You have to be mentally tough to succeed. I've known Mark a very long time. I know his family are hurting over these drug allegations.

"Mark doesn't drink wine or beer during the season and the thought of him taking drugs is so totally out of character."

Yesterday Chelsea issued a statement saying Bosnich's $117,000-a-week contract "is being terminated".

Bosnich is putting the finishing touches to his formal response to a Football Association misconduct charge that followed his positive drug test in November. No date has been fixed for the Bosnich hearing. The player has the full support of the Professional Football Association, the players' union headed by Gordon Taylor.

If the FA find him guilty, a first offence carries up to an automatic 12-month worldwide ban from the game or they may recommend he undergo rehabilitation and on-going counselling.

Bosnich has until tomorrow to submit a written reply. Reports indicate that he intends to contest the charge. Bosnich has retained Keith Schillings, a leading London lawyer and intends to fight all charges.

If he is kicked out of football for a period, after serving a ban Bosnich could still salvage a career in the English Premier League at Bolton or any other club who may step in and sign him for that matter, even without the new club sponsoring his work permit.

Allardyce denied on Bolton's official website yesterday that the club was interested in signing Bosnich.

Bosnich is awaiting the results of a second drug test from the FA and has been treated for depression.

Last year, the Premier League fell into line with the British Home Office criteria for residency, which meant that footballers from outside the European Union who have played continuously in England for five years, as Bosnich has, did not have to apply for work permits.

Chelsea's action marks a new low in Bosnich's career. The Australian understands that his case rests on the allegation that Chelsea have acted improperly.

"Bosnich has been treated shabbily by Chelsea," Arnold said.

Arnold was in London on a business trip in late November when news broke and attempted to visit the disgraced goalkeeper at the clinic.

"Chelsea could have taken a leaf out of Arsenal's book when it comes to supporting players through tough times," Arnold said.

"Chelsea could have done what Arsenal did with Paul Merson and Tony Adams who were helped throughout their period of rehabilitation for their alcohol and drug dependency. But clearly Chelsea's actions shows they no longer wanted Mark on their wage bill."

Leo Karis, Bosnich's agent in Australia, yesterday referred all inquiries to the goalkeeper's London legal representatives.

"My job is not to be helpful to you or any other person in the media," Karis told The Australian.

"I can't comment. I have nothing to say on the matter."