James Norwood is partnered by Kayden Jackson up front as the Blues start their first third tier season in 62 years at Burton Albion.
Norwood is one of four debutants with Tomas Holy in goal, James Wilson at the centre of the defence alongside Luke Woolfenden, making his second senior start for the Blues, while Luke Garbutt is at left midfield.
The Blues look set to use the diamond formation they utilised at Cambridge last week with Cole Skuse deeper than Flynn Downes, who faced no action following his red card at the Abbey Stadium, in central midfield.
Emyr Huws and Alan Judge are both among the subs, as are youngsters Armando Dobra and Bailey Clements.
Skuse skippers with regular captain Luke Chambers suspended following his red card on the final day of last season.
Andre Dozzell didn’t travel due to a knee injury but Jordan Roberts is back among the subs having been sidelined after suffering a knock at Colchester.
Burton, who finished ninth in League One last season, include ex-Town loanee Stephen Bywater on the bench.
Town: Holy, Donacien, Woolfenden, Wilson, Kenlock, Skuse (c), Downes, Rowe, Garbutt, Jackson, Norwood. Subs: Norris, Judge, Roberts, El Mizouni, Dobra, Huws, Clements.
Burton: O'Hara, Brayford, O'Toole, Buxton (c), Daniel, Edwards, Quinn, Wallace, Fraser, Boyce, Akins. Subs: Bywater, Nartey, Anderson, Hutchinson, Sbarra, Broadhead, Sarkic. Referee: Ross Joyce (Cleveland).