Tyrone Mears could have been flying down the wing with a rugby ball tucked under his arm rather than a football at his feet had his first love won out.

Mears was a rising star in rugby league and looked set to become a professional in the 13-man code with Warrington.

But the fleet-footed youngster, who was also courted by Bradford Bulls, ditched those dreams when Manchester City spotted his footballing talent and launched him on his path towards the Barclays Premier League.

"I signed a contract with Warrington Wolves running from when I was 12 until I was 21 so that was where I thought my career was going," Mears revealed.

"I thought I was going to be a rugby league player but I ended up starting to play football at around 13 or 14 and Man 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 Man City was going to be difficult but I'm glad I made that change."

Mears progressed through the youth ranks at Maine Road but made only one senior appearance for City before rejecting the offer of a new contract in order to try and further his career elsewhere.

Moves to Preston, West Ham and Derby, as well as a loan spell with Marseille, followed before the right-back arrived at Turf Moor in the summer.

And joining the Clarets has finally vindicated Mears' decision to spread his wings.

"I felt it was the right decision then," added the 26-year-old.

"Looking back now maybe I should have stayed and maybe gone on loan and done things differently but it's happened, I am moving on and my career is starting to go the way I want it to.

"You always aim high and aim to play for the best teams and play in the best league and I am getting a chance now with Burnley to show what I can do."

Tyrone Mears is looking forward to his City reunion

Mears will be back in Manchester on Saturday and despite major changes at City, it's a reunion he is looking forward to as the Clarets bid to open their away-day account against the Barclays Premier League big-spenders.

"There are still a lot of the staff behind the scenes and a few of the younger players who have come through into the first team who are still there," he said.

"It will be nice to go back and see everybody and it's good to play against good teams like that.

"City are going to have a lot of possession so we have to stay strong and compact.

"In these away games we have given away stupid goals where teams haven't really had to work for it so I hope we can stay strong because we will create chances.

"We have players that can do that, so it's important we stay strong at the back.

"They have drawn their last few games so they will be looking to pick it up. It will be a really difficult game.

"We know they have got really good players and it's a big club but it's important we go and show we should be in this Premier League."

For a full exlusive interview with Tyrone Mears watch Clarets Player. For full details click HERE.