But summer signing Darren Byfield is confident that Sean O'Driscoll's newly-promoted side are good enough to upset the odds.

The 31-year-old striker knows from personal experience that it is not only possible for promoted clubs to survive - though runaway 2006-07 League One champions Scunthorpe were relegated last season - but also prosper in the Championship.

The much-travelled Byfield finished the club's top scorer as Bristol City came within 90 minutes of back-to-back promotions last season.

He says the club's feat in making the Championship play-off final was partly down to the players' positive mindset going into the season.

"While other people were saying that to finish fourth bottom would be a good season, we were taking about promotion from the word go," he recalled.

"You have got to be ambitious and I haven't come here to finish fourth bottom; I have come here to score goals and to help the team finish as high as we possibly can."

Byfield says the fact that it is 50 years since Rovers last played at Championship (Division Two) level, and their lack the footballing pedigree compared to many of the sides they will face during the season, could work to their advantage.

He said:"Doncaster have a reputation for playing good football but people will still think 'oh, it is only Doncaster Rovers - they have just been promoted' so hopefully we can take them by surprise and achieve something."

Rovers beat a number of rival clubs to secure Byfield's services after he was released by City after just 12 months at Ashton Gate.

"It was disappointing to leave Bristol because I enjoyed my time there; but that is how football works," he said.

"I joined the club because I wanted to remain in the Championship, but most importantly, I want to play the football that Doncaster play.

"Even when we get beat we have to stick to those beliefs."