MIDDLESBROUGH and Sunderland have both been drawn in the opening round of the EFL Trophy, but Newcastle United have opted not to enter a side in the new-look competition.

Ten Premier League clubs have opted to join the new EFL Trophy, which was formerly known as the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, with the Football League having opted to open the competition to academy sides.

The likes of Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool have decided not to take part, but Premier League champions Leicester and Chelsea will compete, and they will be joined by Boro and Sunderland.

Middlesbrough have been drawn into Group G with Scunthorpe United, Cambridge United and Shrewsbury Town, with teams playing each other once at the group stage.

Sunderland face a North-East derby as they have been drawn into Group F along with North-East neighbours Hartlepool United, Rochdale and Notts County.

The academy teams competing must name at least six players who are aged 21 or under, and play at least one of their home games at their senior side’s main stadium.

The top two teams from each group will progress to the knock-out stage, with the final due to take place at Wembley on April 2.

The changes to the format have already proved controversial, with a number of Football League clubs fearful that the alteration could be the first step towards the admission of B teams into the football pyramid.

Hartlepool were one of a number of clubs to have voted against the changes, which will form a one-year trail before being reassessed next summer.

Following their relegation last season, Newcastle were not one of the academy sides originally invited to compete in the new-look tournament, and their decision to reject a subsequent invitation reflects a desire to send a number of their young players out on loan.

A Newcastle statement said: “The club was initially informed by the Premier League that it was not going to compete in the restructured competition.

“Accordingly, the club started to make plans with regard to the development squad for the coming season. These plans included the intention to loan out some of the players who are currently part of the under-23 squad rather than allowing them to compete in the Premier League 2.

“Though Newcastle United did subsequently receive an invite to compete in the EFL Trophy, the club feels their younger players would be better served by going out on loan and gaining experience over an extended period in a first-team environment.”


Fixtures:

Group F

Matchday 1 (week commencing August 29)

Rochdale vs Sunderland

Notts County vs Hartlepool

Matchday 2 (week commencing October 3)

Hartlepool vs Sunderland

Matchday 3 (week commencing November 7)

Hartlepool vs Rochdale

Sunderland vs Notts County

Group G

Matchday 1 (week commencing August 29)

Scunthorpe vs Middlesbrough

Matchday 2 (week commencing October 3)

Cambridge vs Middlesbrough

Matchday 3 (week commencing November 7)

Middlesbrough vs Shrewsbury