City accept invitation to Trophy

MANCHESTER City could take on Athletic in the upcoming Checkatrade Trophy.

The 16 invited clubs for the second iteration of the controversial competition have been revealed and City join Fulham, Newcastle and Tottenham as new entrants providing an under-21s side in the group stages.

However, despite changes designed to make the competition more attractive for Premier League clubs, Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool were among clubs to turn down the chance to take part.

Athletic reached the last 16 of the competition last season, progressing through a group that featured Blackburn's under-21s, Carlisle and Fleetwood and beating Walsall in the first knockout stage before losing 2-0 at Mansfield in Stephen Robinson's last game in charge.

Four EFL clubs will have under-21 sides involved, with Sunderland, Middlesbrough and Reading joining Fulham in the group stage draw, which will take place in July.

The first round of fixtures will take place in the week commencing Monday, August 28.

The full list of invited under-21 sides is as follows: Brighton, Chelsea, Everton, Fulham, Leicester, Manchester City, Middlesbrough, Newcastle, Reading, Southampton, Stoke, Sunderland, Swansea, Tottenham, West Brom, West Ham.

The invited clubs were selected based on their final league position at the end of the 2016-17 season and those that turned it down were replaced by clubs with Category One academies.

EFL chief executive Shaun Harvey said in a statement: "I was delighted when EFL clubs collectively backed the competition following a full and comprehensive review of last season's pilot format, and we can see from the increasing interest from Category One academies that the Checkatrade Trophy has genuine appeal.

"The competition provides a unique challenge to young players and seasoned professionals alike. I strongly believe players from League One and League Two clubs will look forward to taking on some of the country's brightest prospects, who will themselves learn a lot from participating in a first-team competition.

"I want to thank EFL clubs and the Category One academies for their support. I believe the balance of the competition should benefit all sides and will make for some intriguing matches when the group stages get under way in August."

In May it was announced that EFL clubs will have greater flexibility with regard to team selection and the prize money has also increased from last season.