BLACKBURN Rovers could face one of their own on the opening day of the season after they were handed a home start to the Premier League by the fixture computer.

Rovers will face Manchester City at Ewood Park on August 15 – and want-away striker Roque Santa Cruz could well be lining up for City with his move from East Lancashire to Eastlands likely to go ahead before the end of the month.

The game will also take on the shape of an old boys reunion as City boss Mark Hughes and former Rovers keeper Shay Given make their returns to Ewood Park.

But rather than focus on any possible sideshows, Rovers’ chairman John Williams is just happy his men will start their ninth successive top flight campaign on their own turf.

“I think the main focus is it’s a home game, which we’re delighted with,” said Williams.

“It’s the second time that Mark Hughes will have come back here and it produced a good game last time.”

The much-anticipated fixtures, released today, see Rovers on the road on Tuesday, August 18, for a game by the River Thames at Fulham, before a trip to the Stadium of Light and a battle with former Wigan boss Steve Bruce.

September sees trips to Everton and Arsenal sandwiching a home clash with Aston Villa, while the first East Lancashire derby of the season against Burnley takes place on October 17.

Hot on the heels of that Ewood Park cracker, Rovers travel the Chelsea and then Manchester United.

And it’s games of that magnitude that whet the appetite.

“It’s a great day when the fixtures come out to reflect that this is another season in the Premier League,” said Williams, whose club is now among the top flight ‘establishment’.

“This is our ninth consecutive season, which us the longest period we’ve ever had.”

Boxing Day sees Rovers making the short trip to Wigan and the first trip of the new year sees the return with City.

As the season draws to a close, it’s the journey down the M65 to Turf Moor on March 27 before Rovers go into an unenviable run-in.

Rovers finish with an Ewood meeting with Arsenal on May 1 and a journey to Aston Villa on May 9.

Added Williams: “I think the run-in is difficult, and the last four home games look tasty.”

The fixture list is, however, is subject to change and the Fulham away game may well be moved if the Cottagers make it into the fourth qualifying round of the Europa League.