Captain Richie Smallwood is expecting a physical encounter when Hull City take on Gillingham in their League One season opener.
The Tigers will make the 442-mile round trip to Priestfield Stadium tomorrow for the first competitive meeting between the clubs in 35 years.
The Gills finished tenth on points per game last season under Steve Evans, a man Smallwood knows well from his spell at Rotherham.
The 29-year-old says the Tigers are well aware of the threats Gillingham will pose and are ready for the challenge.
“I’m expecting a physical game, an extremely physical game,” said Smallwood.