Rovers’ expected starting XI at Ipswich Town is set to have just one alteration from that which took to the field against Southend United on the opening day 12 months ago.

And the one addition is likely to be not a new signing, but Corry Evans, the longest serving player.

Boss Tony Mowbray admits it is a ‘pertinent point’, given he knows so much of this group who played key roles in helping secure promotion from League One last term.

Sure, the boss would have preferred several more new faces in his squad - he’s targeting four more before the respective transfer windows close next month - but he has a great deal of faith in his current group.

Mowbray admits any prospective signings will have to bide their time in breaking into the team, with Chelsea loanee Kasey Palmer a case in point as the 21-year-old builds up his fitness.

And the boss feels the team that takes to the field at Portman Road has great fighting qualities.

“I think that’s a very pertinent point. I know the character of the team now and how far you can drive them, how far you can push them,” he explained.

“They have learned the demands of the expectation levels and demand it of themselves now.

“Ultimately it’s a team that knows itself, they will go and compete and on the days we get beat this season the team that beats us will have to have shown some quality because I hope there won’t be any games that they out-run us, out-work us or out-fight us.

“Sometimes quality can come out on top, or a set play goal, or a mistake, but generally the team will be competitive and we’re looking forward to the challenge of it.”

Rovers travelled to Portman Road on the opening day of the 2012/13 Championship season, following relegation from the top flight, and were held to a 1-1 draw.

Since the turn of the century, their 18 opening games have brought just five wins, six draws and seven defeats, including the 2-1 defeat at Southend last August. Rovers’ last win on the opening day came back in 2010, a 1-0 win over Everton at Ewood Park.

But Mowbray has faith in his current group that they will fight for every ball in the pursuit of a positive season on their second tier return.

He added: “The team look forward to hard work, you could see that particularly in the second half of last season and as long as we can get the same workrate from them then I don’t fear the season.

“I’m looking forward to it, we should relish every game and although we’re not necessarily going to be favourites going in to every game we know we can give teams some problems.”