Jonson Clarke-Harris was the standout name missing from Graham Coughlan's teamsheet as the Bristol Rovers manager named his first starting XI of the 2019/20 League One season.
Clarke-Harris hasn't played throughout pre-season after being dogged by pelvic injury and Coughlan admitted on Thursday that starting him at Bloomfield Road could aggravate the problem and cause further issues down the line.
There was a consideration that the 25-year-old could be on the bench and emerge as a substitute but he has not travelled with the squad and remained in Bristol for his recovery.
In his place, Victor Adeboyejo will start up front for the Gas with the Barnsley loanee having impressed in last Saturday's friendly, scoring against Plymouth Argyle.
Coughlan named five new signings in his team, four of which are at the defensive end with Anssi Jaakkola preferred in goal over Jordi van Stappershoef who is on the bench.
His new-look defence includes Mark Little and Luke Leahy as full-backs with Tom Davies partnering veteran Tony Craig at the heart of the back four.
Winger Kyle Bennett also earns his first Bristol Rovers start since January 22 having spent the second half of last season on loan at Swindon.
Rovers starting XI (4-5-1): Jaakkola; Little, Davies, Craig, Leahy; Rodman, Upson, Clarke (c), Sercombe, Bennett; Adeboyejo; Subs: Van Stappershoef, Agogo, Nichols, Kilgour, Smith, Hare, Tomlinson
