Rovers were the first name out of the hat in the Carabao Cup first round draw as they were drawn to face Hartlepool United.

The game will be played at Ewood Park - with the draw coming on the back of this morning’s fixture publication.

The tie will be played on the week commencing Monday, August 8, by which point two league fixtures will have played.

Rovers were knocked out in round one by League One side Morecambe last season, while they were beaten by Newcastle United 12 months earlier.

It will be a first meeting between the sides since the 1974/75 season, though the two sides will face each other in a pre-season friendly on Wednesday, July 20.

The draw was regionalised for the first round stage, with 22 Championship sides entering the competition, joined by all 24 League One and League Two sides.

Burnley and Watford will join in round two alongside the Premier League teams not in Europe. They will join in round three.

Should Rovers make it into round two, then that tie will be played on the week commencing Monday, August 22.

And should they reach round three for only a second time since promotion from League One, that will be played on the week commencing Monday, November 7.

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