Rovers’ Championship opener against Charlton is just three days away, so who can we expect to see on the team-sheet on the opening day?

Certain starters

Christian Walton

Will start in goal after arriving on a season-long loan from Brighton. It will be just the sixth time in Rovers’ last 97 league matches that David Raya won’t start between the sticks after being sold to Brentford.

Darragh Lenihan

When Lenihan is fit, he starts, and this season is expected to be no different. The Irishman will be targeting a strong campaign to push his hopes of returning to the Republic of Ireland fold, and Rovers are likely to be reliant on him to help improve their defensive fortunes.

Charlie Mulgrew

The skipper may have finished the season out of the side, with Derrick Williams preferred alongside Lenihan, but with Williams injured, and no new defensive additions at the time of writing, the club captain will lead out the side.

Bradley Johnson

Mowbray included no new signings in his starting line-up on the opening day last season, and is often reluctant to throw new recruits straight in, but the 32-year-old was signed to be a first-team regular and having been a key man in pre-season, will make his full debut this weekend.

Bradley Dack

He wasn’t at his best in the friendlies, failing to find the back of the net, and didn’t complete more than 70 minutes in any of them. But when the real thing comes around, expect him to rise to the occasion as we have seen so often.

Probable starters

Elliott Bennett

All but a certain starter given the regularity we have seen him involved, and with Ryan Nyambe having not been used at right back in any of the friendlies. Does at least have competition for his spot, though. 

Amari'i Bell 

With injuries to Derrick Williams and Sam Hart, and Amari’i Bell having struggled with an ankle problem, there is a slight question mark over the position. However, Bell is the most natural option and should start if he can prove his fitness, despite Stewart Downing being a surprise choice against Blackpool.

Lewis Travis

There would likely be a big outcry should Travis not start the opening day given his rise to prominence, and pre-season displays, but Mowbray has been known at times to go for a safer central midfield option which makes him not a certainty. Expected to partner Johnson however.

Adam Armstrong

Enjoyed a fine pre-season, scoring three times including a stunning effort against Blackpool. Has looked fit and strong and came through 90 minutes last weekend. Can play on either flank making his selection very likely.

Danny Graham

It would be a brave move, despite not having the best pre-season, to leave out the experienced frontman who was last season named player of the season. Likely to face a bigger challenge for his starting spot throughout the season though.

Up for grabs

Wide spot

Which flank Armstrong starts on will probably depend on who gets the nod on the other. If he plays from the left, then Sam Gallagher will start from the right. If Armstrong starts on the right, as he has done for the most part in pre-season, then Joe Rothwell could be the man for the left wing, though Downing could also throw his hat in to the ring for that position.

The bench

Jayson Leutwiler will be the substitute goalkeeper, with Ryan Nyambe the man most likely to be the defensive option. It is then likely to be a choice of either Corry Evans or Richie Smallwood, given the impact of John Buckley in pre-season. The teenager has impressed fans and his manager alike, and deserves a spot in the matchday 18. If Downing misses out on the starting XI then expect him to be on the bench, as well as Ben Brereton. Then, whoever of Rothwell or Gallagher will likely take the final spot.

Expected starting line-up: Walton, Bennett, Lenihan, Mulgrew, Bell, Travis, Johnson, Armstrong, Dack, Rothwell, Graham

Subs: Leutwiler, Nyambe, Evans, Buckley, Downing, Gallagher, Brereton