Rovers start their Championship campaign on Saturday, but who makes the starting XI? Here’s a look at the decisions facing Tony Mowbray…

 

STARTING SYSTEM

As ever, a decision on the personnel will depend upon the formation used. With Rovers, 4-3-3 has been the go-to in the last 12 months, but a back three has been the starting option for the last two matches.

Against Leeds it felt like a moved based around the options available, though Mowbray did stick with it against Bolton. While it worked against the Premier League side, it took a move to 4-3-3 to get Rovers firing in the final half an hour at Bolton.

Given the familiarity with it, and the fact more attacking options are now available, 4-3-3 would appear the most likely, particularly with the central defensive options available.

 

CERTAIN STARTERS

Thomas Kaminski will start in goal, though there could well be a toss-up over whether it is Antonis Stergiakis and Jordan Eastham as the back-up option, with Aynsley Pears having not featured in the friendlies.

Ryan Nyambe and Harry Pickering are the first choice options in the full back positions, while Darragh Lenihan will lead out the side and start at centre half.

Lewis Travis has shaken off his bout of illness and will take his place in the centre of midfield, while after his double against Bolton with 90 minutes under his belt, Ben Brereton will take one of the attacking spots, with Adam Armstrong leading the line.

That would leave little debate over seven of the 11 spots in the starting line-up.

 

ONE FROM THREE

Lenihan has had Tyler Magloire and Hayden Carter for company in the last two matches, as Rovers operated with a back three, with Daniel Ayala not risked, and then unavailable.

Ayala was due to start at Bolton, but it was unclear who took his place, but a possible hint on the selection should it be a back four came with the fact it was Magloire who was replaced when the quadruple substitution came.

Ayala managed just 10 appearances last term, but he and Lenihan would form Mowbray’s preferred partnership as things stand, with Scott Wharton still sidelined. But with doubts over the fitness of the Spaniard, that could open the door to one of Carter and Magloire to start against the Swans.

Both caught the eye against Leeds, Magloire with his strength and athleticism, Carter with his aerial ability, but both struggled defensively, and with the ball at their feet, against Wanderers.

Carter has likely pushed himself ahead of Magloire on the back of his loan spell at Burton, and while both could play should the manager opt for a back three, it seems the former will get the nod if Ayala doesn’t make it.

 

TWO FROM THREE

With Travis a certain starter, and Bradley Johnson ruled out, it likely leaves two spots in central midfield.

Rothwell is close to the certain starters list, only a little concern over his fitness putting a question mark on that. But alongside him and Travis, it will be a toss-up between the more safety first approach of Jacob Davenport, or a more creative option in John Buckley.

There was more of a 4-2-3-1 look about Rovers at Bradford, with Rothwell playing as a No.10, and Davenport and Travis behind him.

That could well be a combination on the opening day, but a more bold look would be to have Travis as the holding player and Rothwell and John Buckley combining ahead of him.

Buckley was Rovers’ main attacking threat against Leeds, and enjoyed a fine cameo alongside Rothwell to help change the game against Bolton to push his name into the frame for a starting spot against Swansea.

Jake Garrett has impressed in his early first-team appearances, but a place on the bench looks most likely for the teenager, and would be no mean feat for the 18-year-old who only made his Premier League 2 debut earlier this year.

Davenport and Travis lacked the creative thrust against Bolton, but could well be Mowbray’s preferred option in a three against the Swans.

 

TOO SOON FOR GALLY?

Sam Gallagher looked hungry to make an impact at Bolton, his first outing of pre-season having ripped his calf on day one. That capped a second successive injury-hit summer for the attacker.

He went close to scoring with a header that clipped the inside of the post, finished off by Brereton, and a thumping left-foot shot drew a good save out of Dixon. But with only 30 minutes of action to his name, a spot on the bench looks most likely for Gallagher.

And that would, should a front three be the way to go, mean that Tyrhys Dolan could well have a free run at the spot on the right-hand side.

He himself hasn’t had the perfect preparation after a hip issue in pre-season, but is the most natural wide option in the squad.

A back three could see him squeezed out of the side, as could moving Buckley to the right flank should Mowbray opt for a different type of option, while Harry Chapman has struggled with illness of late and may only make the bench.

 

Predicted team: Kaminski, Nyambe, Lenihan, Ayala, Pickering, Travis, Davenport, Rothwell, Dolan, Brereton, Armstrong

Subs: Stergiakis, Carter, Garrett, Buckley, Chapman, Gallagher, McBride