ROVERS will kick-off their Premiership campaign with a home game against Sunderland on August 17.

They will also get an early chance to take on the promoted sides as they will face all three within the first eight matches, starting with their first away trip to take on Birmingham City at St Andrews.

December is a mouth-watering month with North West derbies against Everton, Manchester United and Liverpool, the latter at Anfield on Boxing Day.

Club secretary Tom Finn admitted: "It is nice to start with a home game and I am sure that the fans will like that but the one thing you know when the fixture list comes out is you play everyone twice.

"What we do know is a couple of matches will have to be changed because of UEFA Cup dates and that means the home games against Leeds and Liverpool will both be put back to Sunday's. There are always changes that have to be made."

2002/03 FIXTURES

PROVISIONAL 1st Draft Subject to Change

August & September dates

Sat Aug 17 - Sunderland (H)

Sat Aug 24 - Birmingham City (A)

Wed Aug 28 - Liverpool (H)

Sat Aug 31 - Middlesbrough (A)

Wed Sep 11 - Chelsea (H) Worthington Cup 1

Sat Sep 14 - Manchester City (A)

Sat Sep 21 - Leeds United (H)

Sat Sep 28 - West Bromwich Albion (A)