The wait is over for Bristol Rovers as their League One adventure begins this afternoon against Forest Green Rovers at the Mem.
Both teams have risen together from League Two this summer, and both teams doubtless will be confident of getting one over on the other.
Barton has declared his desire to make a number of signings in the final month of the window, but he believes the squad he has available today is good enough to compete and pick up points at the start of the quest to reach 52 to secure their place in the league.
Here is how the Gas could line up on Saturday…
What XI would you select? Have your say in the comments section below…
Goalkeeper and defence
Rovers’ number one James Belshaw will get his first chance to test himself in League One on Saturday as he starts between the posts. Anssi Jaakkola is likely to be the man backing him up on the bench.
At right-back, new signing James Gibbons is set to get the nod. The versatile defender has impressed in pre-season since joining from Port Vale, and if he plays on the right of the back four it could enable Barton to play Luca Hoole at right centre-half. He appears to be competing with Alfie Kilgour for that spot, but after the latter missed the final pre-season friendly Hoole could get the nod.
James Connolly is nailed on to start as the left centre-back, with Trevor Clarke set to get a start at full-back after an impressive pre-season.
Josh Grant is likely to earn a spot on the bench, and youngsters Sam Heal and Jamie Egan could also be involved.
Midfield
The Gas will be without their skipper on Saturday - and for the subsequent two games - with skipper Paul Coutts serving the final three games of a four-match suspension picked up in the penultimate game of last season.
Sam Finley will be an able stand-in skipper in Coutts’ absence, with the 29-year-old sure to be a key contributor for the Gas this season.
He could be partnered with a fellow scouser in Jordan Rossiter, who is in line for his league debut after joining from Fleetwood Town earlier this summer.
Zain Westbrooke is likely to make the bench, alongside youngster Jerry Lawrence, who has caught the eye in pre-season.
Grant is also an option for the Gas in the centre of the park, as is first-team coach Glenn Whelan who has registered as a player after his return was confirmed on Friday.
Alex Rodman is unavailable while he recovers from a back injury.
Attack
With Barton yet to put the finishing touches on his attacking department, the front four appears to be a straightforward selection for Barton.
Aaron Collins comes into the game after signing a new three-year contract and he is set to start on the left wing, reverting to a more natural position after his brilliant efforts up front last season.
On the right, Harry Anderson should be the man given the starting job, with Antony Evans taking up the number 10 role.
John Marquis will be another man making his debut when he leads the line on Saturday.
On the bench, Harvey Saunders and Ryan Loft are different options Barton can call on. Ryan Jones and Harvey Greenslade could also be included.
Rovers (4-2-3-1): Belshaw; Gibbons, Hoole, Connolly, Clarke; Rossiter, Finley; Anderson, Evans, Collins; Marquis.
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