Goalkeeper Mark Bosnich was today preparing his next move after receiving confirmation from Chelsea of their intention to sack him.
Bosnich has already been suspended indefinitely by the club after testing positive for cocaine in November last year and was today given 14 days' formal notice in writing that his contract is to be terminated.
The Australian international is understood to have received legal advice that Chelsea could be acting improperly, although the club continue to insist that he has breached his contract.
He was called to a meeting with executives at Stamford Bridge shortly after Christmas but did not attend on medical advice.
Bosnich, who turns 31 next Monday, is also putting the finishing touches to his formal response to the English FA misconduct charge which followed his positive drugs test.
He has been given until this Friday to submit a written reply and will do so, with reports having indicated that he intends to contest the charge at a hearing.
PA