Charlton Athletic manager Lee Bowyer has admitted his side's matches against Leeds United and Birmingham City were the first ones he looked out for when the fixture list was revealed.
On Thursday morning, the Addicks saw the fixture dates confirmed for their Championship return and are set to face Leeds on September 28 and May 2, and Birmingham on September 14 and April 18.
Bowyer enjoyed stints with both clubs during his playing career, and the Addicks boss said his eyes were drawn to these dates when he first saw next season's fixtures.
“Leeds, last game of the season away, hopefully we’ll know where we stand by then," he told the club website.
"Those games were the ones I was looking for obviously, Leeds and Birmingham.”
Charlton are back in the second tier after Bowyer guided them a third-placed finish in League One, before a dramatic play-off final victory over Sunderland back in May.
It appeared as though Bowyer was set to depart The Valley earlier this week when the club announced they had failed to agree terms on a new contract, but he has since signed a one-year extension to his deal.
When discussing next season's fixtures, Bowyer also added: “It brings the reality of the sides we’re playing, the big sides we’ll be playing, the grounds we’ll be going to. It’s exciting, I’m looking forward to getting that first one underway now."
Charlton will kick off their Championship season away to Blackburn Rovers on August 3.
The Verdict
Charlton fans will be looking forward to the new season with renewed optimism following news of Bowyer's contract extension, and it appears he too is relishing the prospect of leading the side next term.
Bowyer enjoyed stints with Leeds and Birmingham at either end of his career, so he will now inevitably be looking forward to embracing the novelty of facing these sides as a manager next season.
The Addicks will still need to add to their squad ahead of their Championship return, as Bowyer himself admitted that this fixture list reveal has brought the reality of the big sides they will be facing.
However, the club will be confident of taking on any challenge that comes their way with Bowyer at the helm, following his excellent work last season.