The EFL fixture announcement for the 2016/17 campaign was unkind to Blackburn, as they face former Premier League side Norwich City at Ewood Park.
The Canaries are expected to be one of the stronger outfits of the Championship for the new season, and Rovers' first game will be a big test for them.
Rovers finished in a disappointing 15th place last season in the Championship and new boss Owen Coyle will be aiming to significantly improve that in the new campaign.
The Scots boss has been proactive so far in the summer transfer market by bringing in four new additions to Ewood Park.
Anthony Stokes, Danny Graham, Liam Feeney and Stephen Hendrie will all link up with the Blackburn squad this week as they begin preparations for the new season.
The Rover’s fans will be eager for the club to get off to an impressive start and they will be anticipating who Owen Coyle will field for their tough test against Norwich City.
Football League World Writer, Ashley Williams identifies the possible starting XI for Blackburn Rovers in their first game of the season…..
GK – Jason Steele
The goalkeeper is expected to given the nod to play in-between the sticks for Blackburn on their first day of the new campaign.
David Raya is expected to compete with the former Middlesbrough goalkeeper for the number one jersey, but Coyle is thought to prefer Steele.
The goalkeeper featured 45 times for the Lancashire club last season and will be looking to continue his development at Rovers.
LB – Stephen Hendrie
The youngster will spend the season on loan at Ewood Park from West Ham United.
The full back is a Scottish under 21 international who has yet to feature for the Hammers, but the dynamic defender will be hoping to continue his development and get further first-team experience under his belt over the next 12 months at Ewood Park.
The full back will be looking to make a first impression to his new boss Owen Coyle over the summer and hopefully push into the starting line-up.
CB – Shane Duffy
The centre back was tremendous for Rover’s last season and has continued his form for the Republic of Ireland in their Euro 2016 campaign.
His partnership with Grant Hanley was Blackburn’s main strength last season and Owen Coyle will be looking for that partnership to continue into the new season.
His Euro 2016 performances are likely to fuel transfer talk for the Irishman, but Coyle must keep his best players if the club are going to progress.
CB – Grant Hanley
Hanley is considered as one of the most consistent defenders in the Championship and his performances last year, saw him deservedly rewarded with the club’s player of the year.
His excellent campaign has seen him being linked with a move away from Ewood Park with the likes of Newcastle United and Derby showing strong interest for the central defender.
Owen Coyle will do everything in his power to keep the Scottish international at the club. However, Hanley will want Blackburn to show some desire this season and challenge at the top end of the league.
Coyle must show his intentions to Hanley that could persuade him to stay at the club.
RB – Adam Henley
The Blackburn right back was severely unlucky to not be included in the final Wales squad for their Euro 2016 campaign.
The Rovers defender had been part of Chris Coleman's pre-tournament squad for a get-together in Portugal, but an injury picked up in training forced an early return.
The full back is an athletic presence who thrives to overlap his winger to offer support.
Henley was impressive for Blackburn last season, but must impress over pre-season to convince Owen Coyle that he should start against Norwich City.
CM – Corry Evans
The Northern Irish midfielder has improved significantly over the past few months and was rewarded with a place in the Northern Ireland set-up.
Corry Evans' Euro 2016 adventure came to an end as Northern Ireland lost 1-0 to Wales over the weekend.
The Rovers midfielder played the full match in Paris and put in another tireless performance.
Evans will have been pleased to play such a prominent role at the tournament - starting three of Northern Ireland's four games.
The 25-year-old will be hoping to continue his regular role with his club and his performances justify a place in the Rover’s first team.
CM – Hope Akpan
The central midfielder has had a fairly positive start to his Rovers career, after signing last summer from Reading.
He appeared 31 times for the Lancashire club – netting three goals. Akpan remains in Coyle’s plans, but he will have to work hard to maintain a starting place in the team.
Currently, Akpan should start for Blackburn in central midfield, but depending on who they sign could change that.
LAM – Ben Marshall
Marshall really stepped it up a gear in the second half of last season, to help pull his side away from the relegation zone.
The Blackburn player is highly rated at the club, and another player that has been drawn away from Ewood Park amid interest from Championship rivals.
He made 48 appearances for Rovers last term, scoring six times in all competitions.
Marshall has shown his qualities and is a player who should be first on the team sheet when Rover’s face Norwich at the start of August.
CAM – Anthony Stokes
The free transfer of Stokes from Celtic could prove to be a real bargain for the club.
The 27 year old spent the latter part of last season on loan at Hibernian and scored a brace in their Scottish cup final victory over Rangers in May.
He leaves Celtic Park having scored 77 goals in 192 games, and helped them win four titles and two Scottish Cups.
He is expected to play just behind the front man against Norwich, and his trickery and exquisite left foot will be a great asset to the team.
RAM – Liam Feeney
Rovers signed the Bolton winger on a free deal over the weekend and similar to Stokes could prove to be a great buy for the club.
Although Bolton endured a torrid year, Feeney was one of their minorities of players that looked like a bright spark.
The 29 year old will be familiar with the surroundings at Ewood Park after previously spending time on loan at Blackburn at the end of the 2013-14 season, making six appearances.
As Bolton looked to offload their players at the end of last term, Feeney joined Ipswich Town at the latter stages of last year to help them push for a play off spot.
Feeney is expected to go straight into the first team at Blackburn and could prove to be a great player for them.
ST – Danny Graham
The new Blackburn front man will have big boots to fill to replace Jordan Rhodes who left for Middlesbrough in January.
Graham penned a permanent two-year deal with the option of a further 12 months after proving to be a big hit on loan at Ewood Park last season.
The former Sunderland striker netted seven goals in eighteen league games for Rovers that helped them steer away from the bottom three.
There was a slight tension when Graham first arrived at Ewood Park due to his goal drought for the Premier League side.
Graham netted just once in 42 matches for the Black Cats after joining them from Swansea in January 2013.
However, his displays during his loan spell at the Lancashire club will re-ignite his confidence and he will be a big player for Rover’s next season.
Blackburn Rovers fans… Would this be your starting XI against Norwich City? If not, who would you prefer? Let us know in your thoughts and opinions below!