FORMER Clarets favourite Ross Wallace is back at the club helping develop the next generation of talent at Turf Moor.

The 35-year-old is working in the youth development phase of the Burnley academy at the start of his coaching career.

Wallace, who played 165 times for the Clarets in five years at Turf Moor, hung up his boots at the end of last season after a spell with St Mirren.

“When I retired from football it was a no-brainer when the opportunity came to come back in,” he told the club website.

“I loved my time playing at Burnley and the club has obviously come on leaps and bounds in recent years, playing consistently in the Premier League and with the superb facilities now at the training ground.

“I had five years at Burnley – the majority under the current manager (Sean Dyche) – and so I know the way the club works.

“It’s been a passion of mine to work with young players and this is the ideal place to start.

“Category One is a big step forward for the academy and the challenge for all the coaches is to try and produce one or two gems.

“It’s fantastic that the club is looking at the angle of former players. Ian Jones at the Academy has been a massive help and the other coaches have been brilliant with me. I’m really enjoying it and hopefully it develops from here.”