There will not be much brotherly love for Dale Stephens at Bolton today.

The Albion midfielder’s return to the home town club he grew up supporting will divide family loyalties.

He needs plenty of extra tickets for the Stephens clan and they will all be supporting him.

All that is except for younger brother Macauley, a Bolton fan through and through.

Stephens told the Argus: “I was a boyhood fan and I’ve got good memories.

“They were in the Europa League when I was going to watch them. They had some top, top players like Campo and Djorkaeff.

“Things are a little bit different there now but I am sure they have got the right ambition to get themselves back in the Premier League.

“I wasn’t really a diehard fan. I only went to the Reebok, never made it to Burnden Park, but I was always watching on TV.

“My old man and my family are Bolton fans, so it will be interesting.

“My brother is a diehard. He’ll be there. He goes home and away sometimes, so I’m not sure who he will be supporting.

“I need about 14 tickets. Of course they don’t want me to lose. They don’t support Bolton that much! All my family will be supporting me but I think my little brother will want Bolton to win.

“If we do manage to win though I’m sure they will be very happy for us.”

Stephens admits he would loved to have played for Bolton. He never got the chance, the January capture from Charlton carving out a career instead via Lancastrian neighbours Bury, Oldham and Rochdale before heading south.

“As a Bolton fan as a kid there was only one club you wanted to play for,” Stephens said.

“But as you get older you see the game and you realise you are going to move around and play for different clubs.”