Players' chief Gordon Taylor sees no reason to panic after a study revealed that almost half the professionals in England believe football has a drug problem.

A survey of 700 players for tonight's Real Story programme on BBC1 has revealed that 46 per cent of professionals are aware of a colleague using recreational drugs, while the same number also believe the sport is facing a substance-abuse problem.

But the Professional Footballers' Association chief executive cautioned against reading too much into those players' opinions, believing that sufficient systems are in place to contain any problem.

"I wouldn't want to get carried away. It could be hearsay that players at one club say and players at another club hear. Football is a very closed world and you would know if clubs or players were doing that," said Taylor.

"In general, I am satisfied we don't need to have random testing in players' private houses. So far, I believe we are containing and, hopefully, eradicating any problem. Football is like society and we have a drug problem in society. But if any member is found guilty of taking performance- enhancing drugs, then the deterrent effect has to come in. We wouldn't want any positive tests swept under the carpet. We want it out in the open."

Taylor was more concerned with the survey's finding that 4 per cent of players admitted to being given injections, not knowing what the syringe contained. "We've got to make sure club doctors and physiotherapists keep players fully informed because it if a test is found to be positive it's up to the individual - the players can't pass the buck."