Exclusive by Stuart Roach BBC Sport Online

Former Chelsea goalkeeper Dave Beasant insists the club were right to sack Mark Bosnich following his failed drugs test.

But Beasant believes the Australian international can return from a one-year ban a better player.

Bosnich's career, which has taken him from Aston Villa to Chelsea via Manchester United, appears in tatters after he was sacked for testing positive for cocaine.

Only he can call the shots now Dave Beasant

But, at 30, the controversial keeper's best years may still be ahead of him, according to ex-England keeper Beasant.

"Chelsea were right to sack him," Beasant told BBC Sport Online.

"He knew the consequences of what would happen.

"Every player knows that if they are in breach of their contract then clubs can terminate that contract.

"If he is silly enough to get involved, then Chelsea have every right to sack him and I think they were right to do so."

Bosnich had two positive tests for cocaine

Bosnich did not play a first-team game for more than two years because of injury and, on a reported salary of �40,000 per week, he was proving an expensive liability at Stamford Bridge.

"I don't think the size of his salary helped," said Beasant.

"He would have been sitting in the reserves picking up money and you have to earn your salary."

But Beasant believes the sudden loss of earnings and inevitable change of lifestyle can help Bosnich focus on getting his career back on track.

"He is only 30 and has years ahead of him," Beasant said.

"Only he can call the shots now. He has a long time in front of him and there is no reason why he can't come back better and stronger.

"I do believe that. This is character building," added Beasant, who suffered his own crisis of sorts during his time at Chelsea.

Beasant was publicly ridiculed for a string of errors that cost him his place in the first team, but says he learned from the experience.

"I had already learned a lot from being at Wimbledon, who are a character building club.

Beasant says Bosnich must remain focused

"Having that balance help me get through the situation at Chelsea.

"I felt like a different player, but I came through and said it was not going to happen again.

"Bos needs to hold on. When he comes back, he won't command anywhere near the kind of salary he is used to, but you have got to get back on and rebuild.

"It depends how hungry he is to come back.

"He has become far too comfortable at Chelsea and he seems to have stood still from being one of the best keepers in the country.

"His move to Manchester United didn't work out then Chelsea gave him the chance to resurrect his career and that also went pear-shaped.

"His best time was at Aston Villa when he was proving a point, but he didn't settle after big moves.

"Big money can change your life in many ways. Bos got caught up in what goes on with people who have got money in London and only he can put that right now."

Meanwhile Bosnich has until Friday evening to respond in writing to the FA's misconduct charge over the drugs tests.

The FA confirmed to BBC Sport Online on Thursday that the goalkeeper had not yet written to them.