Millwall will no doubt be aiming for a consistent push for a place in the Championship play-offs next season, following an encouraging 2020/21 campaign.

Having finished 11th in the final standings in 2020/21, Gary Rowett's side will know that they do have the potential to mount a push for a top-six spot next season.

There chances of building on that will no doubt be impacted by the events of the transfer window, while Millwall now know just how the challenge of the new season will play out, following the announcement of the fixture schedule last week.

That sees the Lions start the season with a London derby, when they make the trip to the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium to take on QPR, who themselves finished the season in excellent form.

So with that in mind, we've taken an early look at just how Millwall's starting lineup might look on the opening day of the season, right here.

Millwall have already strengthened their goalkeeping department this summer, with the arrival of George Long on a free transfer from Hull City, which may give Rowett more to think about with his team selection.

But despite that new recruit, we imagine it will still be a familiar face who opens the campaign between the posts as the club's number one, in the shape of Bartosz Bialkowski.

Ever since his arrival at The Den from Ipswich back in the summer of 2019, the Pole has been an incredibly reliable figure for Millwall, twice winning the club's Player of the Season award, so you would expect Bialkowski to get the chance to retain his spot when the action gets back underway.

Another piece of business Millwall have already completed this summer, is the permanent signing of left-back Scott Malone from Derby.

Having returned to the club where he previously played between 2012 and 2015 on loan last season with a temporary move to The Den, Malone is no once again a permanent Millwall player, having re-signed for the club earlier this summer following the expiration of his contract at Pride Park.

Malone made 43 appearances and scored six goals in all competitions for Rowett's side last season, and having impressed in the process, you would expect the experienced full-back to be another whose name is on the teamsheet come the opening day of the campaign.

In the centre of defence, one name you would again expect to see starting the campaign as part of Millwall's backline, is Jake Cooper.

Only one outfield player made more appearances for the Lions in the Championship than Cooper across the course of last season, meaning he is a player you would expect to be in with a good chance of starting the new campaign as part of Rowett's starting XI.

Indeed, given the reliability that Cooper has consistently shown at the back for Millwall in recent years, it would certainly seem sensible for him to be part of their defence that gets the new season underway against QPR.

One new face that we could see in the centre of Millwall's defence at the start of the season, comes in the form of Daniel Ballard.

The 21-year-old centre back spent last season on loan with Blackpool from Arsenal, helping the Seasiders win promotion from League One, and recent reports have claimed that Millwall are in advanced talks to sign Ballard on loan for next season, despite interest from other Championship clubs.

If he is to spend the campaign with Millwall, you would imagine there will be an expectation that Ballard will get game time at The Den, and judging by his performances last season, it does seem as though the Northern Irishman is ready for the step up to the second-tier.

On the right hand side of Millwall's defence, you would expect it to be a familiar face who starts the season down that flank, in the form of Mahlon Romeo.

The 25-year-old was once again a regular feature for Millwall in that position last season, when he also passed the milestone of 200 appearances in all competitions for the club, and having put pen to paper on a long-term contract with the club just last year, there is still plenty of time for him to add to that tally.

Indeed, with Romeo comfortably the most experienced and established option on that side of defence for the club as things stand, it would be a surprise if he is not lining up for the Lions on the opening day of the season.

In midfield, there looks set to be a few changes for Millwall heading into the new season, with Shaun Williams having departed, and Ryan Woods now a permanent Birmingham player following a year-and-a-half on loan at The Den from Stoke.

Rowett therefore, may be keen to retain some element of familiarity in the centre of the park, and one player he could turn to in order to get that, is Ryan Leonard.

The 29-year-old is now in his fourth season at The Den, and having found himself somewhat in and out of the side up until now, those departures may give him the opportunity to really establish himself in the starting lineup, as he approaches 100 appearances in all competitions for the club.

One new face who we may yet see in midfield for Millwall next season, is current Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Josh Windass.

The 27-year-old scored nine goals and provided five assists in 41 league games for the Owls last season, but was unable to prevent the club suffering relegation to League One, and Millwall are now reported to have already had two offers rejected for the midfielder.

With some reports suggesting Wednesday want £5million for Windass, there could still be a fair bit of negotiating to go, but the lure of the Championship could help a deal go through, and if it does, then that impressive record, and the desire to get their money's worth, means you imagine Millwall wouldn't waste too much time in getting Windass involved in the action.

Having joined Millwall from Championship rivals Birmingham City back in the January transfer window, it was a frustrating first few months at The Den for Maikel Kieftenbeld.

Injury problems contributed to the midfielder being restricted to just 11 appearances for the Lions across the second half of the campaign, but with a full pre-season under his belt to get him up to fitness, the 31-year-old will no doubt be desperate to get going when the season is underway.

Considering his experience and ability at this level will no doubt be useful for Millwall, you imagine Rowett will be keen to exploit those attributes, meaning Kieftenbeld could be a good bet to feature at QPR on the opening day.

Further forward, one player who it seems could have a part to play for Millwall for some time to come yet, is Mason Bennett.

The attacker initially joined Millwall on loan from Derby in January 2020, a deal he made permanent the following summer, and he has already earned himself a new long-term contract at The Den, which was announced earlier this summer.

As a result, you imagine Millwall are going to be keen to continue to use him going forward, and Bennett himself will no doubt be keen to improve on his record of eight goals in 50 appearances in all competitions for the Lions.

With Kenneth Zohore's loan from West Brom now over, and Jon Dadi Bodvarsson reportedly up for sale this summer, Matt Smith could be in a strong position to lead the line on a regular basis for Millwall next season.

Smith is another player who has been handed a new contract at The Den since the end of last season, suggesting he is another who Millwall feel still has more to give back to the club, meaning he looks to be in a decent position to start the season in the Lions' lineup.

However, having found the net just three times in 29 league games last season, you wonder whether Smith may have to improve on that record quickly, to keep his place beyond the opening few games of the campaign.

One player whose place in the starting lineup come the opening day of the campaign is surely secure - fitness permitting - is Jed Wallace.

No Millwall player scored more goals (11) or provided more assists (five) than Wallace in the Championship last season, with the 27-year-old also making more league appearances (45) for the club than any other outfield player.

His influence on this side therefore, is clear for all to see, and as a result, it would feel like a big surprise if Millwall are not once again looking for Wallace to make an impact as they target a strong start to the season when they go up against QPR on the first weekend of August.