Manager Steve Evans has named his Bristol Rovers team to face Peterborough United in Round One of the Carabao Cup at The Memorial Stadium.
The Pirates start the season against the Posh, looking to make it back-to-back wins against their upcoming opponents after a 3-1 win at The Mem back in February 2025.
Rovers also come into the new season off the back of a brilliant end to the 2025/26 campaign, winning eight straight matches before a 1-1 draw with Notts County.
New No.1 Brad Young starts in goal, with the returning Kofi Balmer, Tommy Leigh and Richie Smallwood all in the team. Smallwood also captains the side at the heart of the midfield.
There are also first starts for new signings Jack Aitchison and Ben Purrington, with right-back Macauley Southam-Hales making his first competitive appearance since November.
Reiss Russell-Denny and Keenan Gough, who moved on loan to the Gas on Friday, make the bench, with new additions Tom James, Bobby Kamwa and Ciarán Kelly starting the day as substitutes.
Bristol Rovers: Young, Balmer,Mola, Forde, Quigley, Aitchison, Purrington, Smallwood, Southam-Hales, Leigh, Harbottle
Bristol Rovers subs: Southwood, James, Sparkes, Russel-Denny, Kamwa, Kelly, Rijks, Gough, Cavegn
Peterborough United: Bass, Johnston, O’Connor, Jones, Khela, Leonard, Edwards, Mills, Shofowoke, Okagbue, Dornelly
Peterborough United subs: Andeng Ndi, Weir, Woods, Mendonça, Conn-Clarke, Sykut, Kamara, Abbey, Chang Fox
