After the release of all Football League fixtures earlier this month, all football fans can now begin to plan their away trips and look forward to some local derbies.

Managers, too, would have been excited by the release as they now know where they will be expected to travel, or host, on the opening day of the season.

For Bristol Rovers' Darrell Clarke, he takes his side to the established League One outfit Scunthorpe United on the opening day of the season.

He will be keen to see his side start the season in a positive fashion as they did in their promotion-winning 2015/16 - getting three wins from their first four games.

To achieve that, signings could prove crucial over the summer and additions have already been starting to flow into the Rovers squad ahead of a testing league campaign.

The opening day could see Clarke implement a formation that might be able to fit new signings into Rovers side.

Football League World writer Reece Chambers examines how Bristol Rovers could line up against Scunthorpe United in a 4-2-3-1 formation on the opening day of the season...

GK - Steve Mildenhall

What is the old saying, 'if it ain't broke don't fix it'? Well, that certainly applies here with Rovers' goalkeeper.

Mildenhall was in superb form last season for the Gas and will hope he can continue to carry that on at a higher level of football.

The 38-year-old found it hard to get into the starting 11 at the beginning of last season but managed to sneak his way into the first team at the back end of 2015. From then, he went on to appear in goal 25 times in the league and kept 8 clean sheets in the process.

As a result, Clarke must be expected to keep the faith in the veteran keeper who still manages to prove his worth. And, amid speculation of other keepers coming to the club, Mildenhall is your obvious choice for goalkeeper versus Scunthorpe.

LB - Lee Brown

There is a lot of good things to be said about Lee Brown. From staying with the club in it's darkest day, amid offers from other clubs, to scoring the promotion winning goal last season, Brown has certainly become a fans favourite at the Memorial Stadium.

His work rate on the pitch is second to none and his loyalty to the club makes his one of the most popular players among fans.

The left back also appeared in every game last season - scoring 6 goals and assisting 7 - and when the League One campaign kicks off he will be hoping to achieve the same feat.

CB - Tom Lockyer

The 22-year-old was named Rovers' Young Player of the Year last season after flourishing in a diligent Rovers back line.

His maturity, both on and off the pitch, at such a young player impresses everyone at the Memorial Stadium and that will undoubtedly bode well for his future.

He appeared 43 times for the Gas last season, and, if the last campaign is anything to go by, he will be appearing just as much this upcoming season.

CB - Peter Hartley

Hartley was the first summer signing for Darrell Clarke and he will, therefore, be hoping to push for a starting place in their opening fixture.

He was signed for Rovers for his well-known aerial ability as well as his physical stature at the heart of the defence.

The 28-year-old could look to kindle a solid defensive partnership with Tom Lockyer early on in the season in order to establish himself as one of the club's first choice centre backs.

RB - Daniel Leadbitter

Leadbitter was one of the most impressive players at the Memorial Stadium last season after a productive campaign.

He played 33 times in the league and managed to contirbute 6 assists for his fellow players. The main source of those assists came from the raw pace he holds. Undoubtedly his greatest asset, the right back frequently beats players with ease down the wings.

The only factor that stopped the 25-year-old appearing more was the fact that Clarke is commonly known for adapting the formation of the team.

However, if he is to adopt a formation that entails four at the back, Leadbitter will most likely start in the side.

CDM - Lee Mansell

A little word on Mansell now, also known as the player who sent Rovers back to the Football League at the first time of asking.

Other than a winning penalty at Wembley, Mansell offers a whole range of attributes that could prove valuable for Rover in their opening game in League One.

The midfielder is one of the coolest heads in the team and has the experience to deal with all sorts of situations. Therefore, Mansell could become a crucial part to Rovers' League One side when the campaign eventually kicks off.

CDM - Luke Berry

Berry is not officially a Bristol Rovers player but there is certainly reason to show that Darrell Clarke should do his utmost to sign the midfielder.

He accumulated a total of 46 appearances for Cambridge United last season and managed to score a total of 13 goals. Berry also has a very good work rate as well as the ability to pass long range so could be perfect for a holding midfield role in the Rovers starting 11.

The midfielder is one of the hottest prospects at so signing the 23-year-old could prove to be a challenge.

However, if he were to sign for the club, he could quite easily slot into a midfield with the experienced Lee Mansell.

LAM - Byron Moore

Behind Hartley by a matter of days, ex-Port Vale man Byron Moore was the second summer addition to the Rovers squad.

The 27 year old possesses the perfect qualities to play on the left side of an attacking midfield three. He has pace, trickery and power - all attributes that defenders will dread to face on any given day of the season, let alone the first.

Unlike the majority of Rovers players, the Englishman has played in League One - having made 37 appearances for Port Vale last season.

What is more, Moore contributed to 7 goals over the campaign and would be a sensible player to start in their opening game versus Scunthorpe United given his knowledge of the league.

CAM - Billy Bodin

Billy Bodin was one of the most impressive players for Bristol Rovers last season in a campaign that saw him light up League 2.

He showcased his ability to beat defenders with ease, most recently in the 2-1 win against Dagenham and Redbridge whereby he netted the first of two vital goals for Rovers.

Bodin is yet to have distinguished periods in the middle of an attacking midfield but, after an impressive campaign last season - scoring 13 and assisting 5 - Bodin could quite easily fit into that formation and deliver the goods.

RAM - Cristian Montano

Much like Bodin, Montano was a great addition to the side last summer and proved to be one of the most exciting players on the pitch.

The winger scored just the 2 goals last season as well as assisting a further 3. However, Montano's game improved to extraordinary levels even if the stats do not say so.

He usually played on the right side of a four man midfield last season for the Gas and he was able to show danger going forward on the attack. However, his defensive ability could be questioned at times.

Therefore, if Clarke were to install this formation, the Colombian would have a license to roam in a much more attacking position and support a lone striker.

Confidence was often an issue for Montano at the start of his Rovers career. So, Clarke could look to start the 24 year old in the opening game in the hope that he repays the boss with a good performance.

ST - Matty Taylor

Now, Matty Taylor's situation is the last one to be resolved of the players who played at the Memorial Stadium last season.

Interest from the likes of Wigan Athletic and Aston Villa seems to have halted any chance of Taylor staying the club ahead of the new campaign.

However, if he is to stay at the club, he would most likely be one of the first names on the team sheet.

He was the Football League's highest scorer last season with 28 goals and a gradual increase in quality of opposition would be the best thing for his career.

He is yet to play football in English football's third tier but the striker's record season last campaign would give both himself and boss, Darrell Clarke, reason to believe he could deliver in their opening game versus Scunthorpe United.