Louis Carey feared release from Bristol City

Bristol City's club captain Louis Carey has admitted he expected to leave the club this summer.

With his contract coming to an end, the 35-year-old defender was prepared to say his farewells after their final game of the season against Burnley.

And he was stunned when manager Derek McInnes told him on the pitch that he would be kept on for another year.

"The gaffer made me cry at the end with what he said to me - he hit a nerve," Carey told BBC Points West.

Injury restricted Carey to 21 appearances this season and with the Championship club eager to slash their budget, many assumed the centre-half would head the departures list.

It was not until the final whistle of the 1-1 draw with Burnley that Carey found out this was not the case.

"He [McInnes] said he'd been looking at the situation and that I'd be one of the ones he wanted to keep," Carey revealed. "I genuinely just broke down - I was overwhelmed.

"I knew the club had to make a lot of cutbacks and get rid of a lot of players and at this age, but I think the gaffer has appreciated what I've done and he said the contract was on merit, because I've earned it over the last 10 months.

"There was no sentiment involved, and I've got a lot of respect for that.

"He's been superb from day one as he's been upfront and honest with regards to contracts. I then spoke to him in the tunnel and left a happy man."

After clocking up 625 appearances in a 19-year spell, Carey has been rewarded with a testimonial against local rivals Bristol Rovers, which will take place at Ashton Gate on 4 August.

"To play for your local team is a dream," he added. "To then captain it and play as many games as I have and be granted a testimonial, it's what dreams are made of.

"Next year will be my 20th season in total - you could look at it like a life sentence but I've enjoyed every minute of it, the highs and the lows. I love it more now than ever."