POLICE will be on alert at Turf Moor tonight as Owen Coyle prepares to return to Burnley for the first time since walking out on the club.

Coyle is expected to face a hostile reception from Clarets fans when he brings his Bolton team to play in the Carling Cup third round.

Bosses at the Clarets have been in discussions with police to make sure that there is no trouble at the game.

A spokesman for Burnley FC said: “The club has a heightened awareness of the return of Owen Coyle to Turf Moor and will be dealing with it appropriately, and we are asking fans for their co-operation in this matter.

“Policing and stewarding will be at an appropriate level for the event.”

Coyle left Burnley in January this year to take over at Bolton.

Just weeks after his departure the two clubs met at the Reebok Stadium in Bolton when Coyle was subjected to abuse from the travelling fans, who sang ‘Judas’ at him and unveiled banners labelling him a ‘hypocrite’.

A spokeswoman for Lancashire Police said the return of Coyle had been taken into account when police planned their operation for the match.

“This is a local derby match with a crowd of around 15,000 fans expected so there will be heightened excitement.

“Clearly Owen Coyle’s return to Turf Moor has been considered when planning the policing operation for this match.

“However, we are satisfied that we have enough resources both inside and outside the ground to deal with any problems.”