Johnson signed on a season-long loan from Plymouth Argyle with a view to a permanent move on Thursday.
The former Northern Ireland international joins a plethora of new midfield recruits at the Galpharm Stadium. Joey Gudjonsson, Scott Arfield, Graham Carey and Lee Croft could all make their debuts.
Nathan and Tom Clarke will miss out with knee injuries and striker Lee Novak is still short of match fitness after his pre-season was disrupted with a similar problem.
The absence of the Clarke brothers from the back-line will be offset by the prospect of debuts for Gary Naysmith and Jamie McCombe while on-loan Nottingham Forest forward Joe Garner is likely to fill the void left by Novak.
Full-back Lee Peltier was an absentee for last weekend's friendly with Scunthorpe due to muscle tightness but is expected to play.
