More on the Rovers team
Joey Barton insisted James Belshaw could retain his place in goal, even if Anssi Jaakkola was passed fit, and so it has proved with the former Harrogate keeper getting the nod today.
He will play behind a back three of Jack Baldwin, Mark Hughes and Nick Anderton, with Alex Rodman and Harry Anderson the wing-backs.
Barton has picked a strong midfield of Josh Grant, Sam Finley and the returning Paul Coutts, with Harvey Saunders and Aaron Collins paired up top in a 3-5-2.
Luke Thomas is the man who makes way for Coutts. He is joined on the bench by Brandon Hanlan, who is the subject of interest from at least two League One clubs. He is fit to be involved today after suffering a minor knee injury in pre-season.
Brett Pitman is also among the subs, with somewhere in the region of 20 minutes his limit as he recovers from an ankle injury.
