Blackburn start life in league 1 away at Southend

Blackburn will travel to face Southend away in their first match of the 2017-18 League One season on Saturday, 5 August.

The other relegated clubs, Wigan Athletic and Rotherham United, will go to MK Dons and Fleetwood Town respectively.

League Two champions Portsmouth host Rochdale, while play-off winners Blackpool will go to Bradford City.

Elsewhere on the opening day, Bury take on Walsall, Charlton host Bristol Rovers, Oldham are at home to managerless Oxford, Scunthorpe face AFC Wimbledon and Shrewsbury are up against Northampton.

Blackburn are playing in the third tier for the first time since 1979-80 after relegation from the Championship. Portsmouth will start the season with Kenny Jackett in charge after Paul Cook left to join Wigan and the two sides will meet at the DW Stadium on 26 August, with the return fixture at Fratton Park on 2 April, 2018.

JC