Tyrone Mears has revealed he could have been earning a living in rugby league rather than the Premier League.

The Burnley defender once wore the colours of Warrington before being lured away by Manchester City.

Mears, 26, is now preparing to face his former club on Saturday after arriving at Turf Moor in the summer from Derby.

"I signed a contract with Warrington Wolves running from when I was 12 until I was 21," Mears told burnleyfc.com.

"That was where I thought my career was going but I ended up starting to play football at around 13 or 14.

"Manchester City picked me up. They wanted to sign me and ended getting me out of the contract.

"It was a really tough decision. You see how many young lads want to become footballers and have not really done it.

"To go to Manchester City was going to be difficult but I'm glad I made that change."

Mears made only one senior appearance for City and has since played for Preston, West Ham and Derby as well as a loan spell at Marseille.

He added: "My career is starting to go the way I want it to. You always aim to play for the best teams and play in the best league.

"I am getting a chance now with Burnley to show what I can do."