Sunderland, who finished bottom of the Barclays Premiership in 2005-06 and are still without a manager, then have home matches against another team relegated from the top flight – Birmingham – and Plymouth on August 8 and 12.

Steve Bruce’s men begin their battle for promotion back to the Barclays Premiership with a home fixture against newly-promoted Colchester.

The other team seeking a swift return to the Premiership – West Brom – open their campaign at home to Hull, before travelling to Cardiff and Southampton.

Leeds, who lost out to Watford in the play-off final last season, start the 2006-07 season against Norwich at Elland Road.

Preston – under the leadership of Paul Simpson – open their campaign at home to Sheffield Wednesday while fellow beaten play-off semi-finalists Crystal Palace – now managed by Peter Taylor – travel to Jim Magilton’s Ipswich.

Coca-Cola League One champions Southend start their bid to clinch successive promotions with a home game against Stoke while play-off victors Barnsley start at home to Cardiff, before travelling east to Yorkshire rivals Hull.

Wolves, who have seen Joleon Lescott join Everton, start at Plymouth before Ipswich and Preston visit Molineux.

Derby – with new manager Billy Davies at the helm – start at Southampton, another club fancied to make their mark in England’s second tier this coming season.

QPR make the trip north to Burnley on August 5 while Leicester go in the opposite direction to Luton on the same day.