The wait for the new season is almost over for Bristol Rovers, with just seven says remaining until they kick-off the new League One campaign at the Mem against Forest Green Rovers.
Joey Barton and his players have been itching to be back in action after the heroics of last season that clinched promotion on the final day. The step up in standard is a sizeable one between League Two and League One but Rovers have momentum on their side as they return to the third tier.
One slight concern for the Gas is the slowdown of transfer activity of late. Four deals have been completed this summer, but Rovers have not made any new additions for a fortnight and they have several areas to strengthen before the end of trading on July 30. That means the team that starts the season could look very different to the first-choice XI just a few weeks later.
Here is how Rovers could line up against Forest Green a week from today...
Goalkeeper and defence
Perhaps no one's status at the Mem is more secure than goalkeeper James Belshaw. In addition to his proficiency between the posts, Belshaw's ability with his feet and his fearlessness in defending the space behind the back four are invaluable assets that enable Barton to execute his desired style of play.
Save for any training ground injury disasters in the coming days, Belshaw is certain to start against Forest Green in a week's time.
In front of him, there is less certainty over how the back four will line up. James Connolly can be considered a lock for the left-sided centre-back spot, but there is food for thought elsewhere.
Alfie Kilgour's absence from the last pre-season friendly is not ideal, with Rovers short of options in the heart of defence and in need of reinforcements in the transfer market. Should Kilgour be unavailable, Luca Hoole is the likely choice to play alongside Connolly. Barton sees 20-year-old Hoole transitioning into the centre of defence as he matures and he could be required there a week from today.
Should Hoole play in the middle, new signing James Gibbons will be right right-back. The former Port Vale defender has impressed in pre-season, creating the opening goal in the win against Stoke City. On the left side, Trevor Clarke can be considered the favourite to get the nod, ahead of Josh Grant, with Nick Anderton sidelined.
Midfield
Who will step in for the suspended Paul Coutts? That is perhaps the biggest question in the centre of the park. Coutts will miss the first three games of the campaign as he completes a four-match ban incurred from a red card in the penultimate game of last season.
Sam Finley, who typically plays alongside Coutts, will be the man to take the armband in his stead. Grant, Zain Westbrooke and Jordan Rossiter are the men who could fill in for the captain in holding midfield, with former Liverpool and Fleetwood Town man Rossiter likely to be leading the race for that position.
Rossiter's pre-season has been disrupted by injury, but he was efficient against Stoke on Tuesday and would be a capable replacement in Coutts' game-manager role, allowing Finley to join the attack when the time is right.
Further forward, Antony Evans' place in the team is secured. He was talismanic last season with 11 goals and 14 assists in all competitions, and he will be tasked with producing similar numbers this term as the Gas step up in standard.
Attack
John Marquis has made a bright start in a Rovers shirt since joining as a free agent after his departure from Lincon City. He made an ideal start with a quickfire double at Chippenham Town and his performance against Stoke was impressive, providing endeavour when leading the press.
The 30-year-old has been signed to bring not only energy but veteran nous to the frontline. He can be penned in to start on the opening day.
The same can be said for Aaron Collins and Harry Anderson. Both were heroes of the promotion campaign. Anderson found his best form when deployed as a winger and he is set to get the chance to start the season in that role.
For Collins, he adapted his game last season to play as Rovers' number nine, and he did so to great effect, scoring 18 goals including several priceless contributions in the run-in. This season, he is set to have more support on the frontline and it will be interesting to see how Barton moulds his attack, but Collins could well start from the left.
If that is the case, it will suit him well. He is such a smooth ball carrier, at his most dangerous when strafing inwards to line up shooting chances on either foot.
With the five-substitute rule introduced for the new season, Ryan Loft and Harvey Saunders can expect minutes from the bench.
But Rovers' XI on the first day of the season could look very different to the starting lineup when the transfer window ends. The Gas are yet to replace Elliot Anderson, Sam Nicholson and Luke Thomas and Barton is eager to remedy that shortfall.
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