Debts are forcing me to give rugby league a go, reveals fired-up Chambers

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Chambers has been offered trials by Castleford, the engage Super League's bottom club, and is set to be unveiled at a press conference on Monday.

Career change: Chambers is determined to make his switch to rugby league work

The former Olympian has struggled to resurrect his athletics career since serving a two-year ban for using designer steroid THG.

He won 60 metres silver at the World Indoor Championships in Valencia earlier this month but is banned from Olympic competition and promoters have closed ranks to prevent him running at most other meetings.

Chambers said: "Both Castleford and I are determined for this to work. The reaction to the news has been wild.

"I'm still on a mental down because of my situation in athletics, despite winning silver in Valencia, but I woke up on Saturday to see my face all over the television again and I realised rugby league gives me a chance to put a positive spin on my sporting outlook."

Chambers, 30 next Saturday, must pay off debts of £100,000 for prizemoney accrued during the period he was cheating in athletics.

He admits the money is crucial as he chases a £60,000-per-year deal with the Tigers.

He said: "The fact is I have to earn a living for myself, my fiancee Leonie and my baby boy Skye.

"Potentially I could make that short of money for about nine seconds' work in a grand prix race, but things have changed. So £60,000 would be nice."

Chambers will need time to get up to find his feet in rugby league but having played American football in the now defunct NFL Europa he claims the physical aspect does not worry him.

He added: "I'm not doing this for a laugh - I know how badly you can be hurt in rugby league but I'm ready.

"I experienced American football last year and am fully aware of just how violent contact sports can be.

"I'm told rugby league is even more barbaric. Let's wait and see."

Chambers, however, has not given up hope of competing at the Beijing Olympics this summer.

Chambers cannot be selected under British Olympic Association rules but he is currently pursuing a legal challenge.