THE plight of Big Brother contestant 'Nasty Nick' may be the topic on everyone's lips at the minute after his escapdes on the hit Channel 4 game show.

But if you want the definitive version of life in the shadow of a real big brother then speak to David Flitcroft.

During an eight-year professional career which has taken in stops at Preston North End, Lincoln City and Chester City, the 26-year-old Rochdale midfielder has always been overshadowed by elder brother Garry.

But that could all change tonight as the Flitcroft's prepare for their first ever professional clash when Dale take on Blackburn Rovers in the first round of the Worthington Cup at Spotland.

"Blackburn haven't stopped winning games in pre-season and they've taken four points from their opening two games so we could be catching them at a bad time," said Dave.

"But the gaffer will get us mentally right for tonight. And I can't wait. We haven't really had the chance to play against each other before.

"It's only times like the cup when it's been a possibility.

"So we've never been rivals until today."

The last time their footballing paths crossed Dave, then 16, was a trainee at North End, while Garry was making his mark as a youngster at Manchester City.

"The thing I remember most from that game was nutmegging him.

"Footballers always shout when they've 'megged someone and I was no different.

"They ended up beating us, though, so I don't suppose it mattered in the end.

"But we used to play together on the same school teams and with Bolton town team." While Dave has been carving a niche out for himself in the lower leagues, older brother brother Garry has spent his time lording it in the Premier League, first with City and then Rovers.

But Flitcroft junior is comfortable with the difference in football status between them, although if one thing has annoyed him since Garry's £3.2m to Ewood in 1996, it's the assumption that he's cashed in on his older brother's success.

"The football side of things has never upset me but that does, especially when I know how hard I've worked for what I have," said Dave.

"I bought a house and did it up myself and it took two years of hard graft.

"But people in Bolton have since said how nice it was of Garry to buy me the house. They also think he bought my car. It's a conception people have."

Spotland will definitely be no place for favours tonight, however.

And midfield battler Garry admits things could get a little heated in the centre of the park.

"It's going to be great to play against Dave because we both get stuck in and get involved so there'll probably be a few yellow cards," said the Rovers skipper.

"When the draw was made, he left a message on my answer phone saying they were going to beat us 2-0 at home and then get a 0-0 draw at Ewood. So we'll see who's right tonight."

However, tonight's clash does present a problem for the brothers' parents.

Before the start of each season, a rota is drafted so they can watch their sons as many times as possible.

But tonight throws up a unique situation with them both on the same pitch.

"I think my mum and dad are secret Rochdale fans but I'm not sure who they'll be supporting tonight.

"My mum controls the rota system and they watch most games when they can. I also watch Garry whenever we've not got a game -- maybe 10 to 15 times a season -- and vice versa.

"I think he's been asked for his autograph more than I have at Rochdale, but that doesn't really bother me."