Manchester City academy chief Jim Cassell is confident Tyrone Mears will prove his quality at Premiership new-boys Derby County.

Cassell had Mears at City's academy and told the club's website: "Tye's helped Derby back in to the Premier League after a good season with them on loan from West Ham. His career to date has been very much been an up and down ride having suffered a lot with injuries.

"But with his move it is important that he gets a run in the top flight because he's certainly good enough to play there. He'll play a vital part in Derby County staying up this season."

City's Academy Recruitment Officer Barry Poynton said: "Tyrone Mears has a good story to him.

"A scout had mentioned him, so we went to see him playing for Oldham Schools at Under 14 level, the problem was that he had a schoolboy contract and a professional contract guaranteed at Warrington Rugby League Club!

"He was a fantastic rugby league player and could be playing Super League now. That's where his career was and the hardest bit with Tyrone and his parents was convincing them his future was as a footballer."