mxs_harrow
New member
A bit under the radar at the moment:-
http://www.efl.com/news/article/2016/efl-trophy-group-stage-draw-date-announced-3207560.aspx
The Category 1 Academy invitations will be announced at 0930.
According to the following Wikipedia link there are still five slots available to Category 1 Championship academies in the order in which they finished the 2015-16 U21 Premier League D1/D2 tables.
" Norwich, Aston Villa , Brighton, Derby , Wolves and Blackburn are therefore expected to be asked to enter".
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016–17_EFL_Trophy
Of the Premiership teams, Arsenal, Chelsea, Man City and Spurs all declined and Liverpool and Man Utd are thought unlikely to field U-23 teams as the early group stages clash with England U-21 games.
Of the Championship teams, Newcastle were already included in the 16 Premiership invitees and Reading have confirmed participation ( In D1 of the U21 league).
http://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/art...ophy-2016-17-3207081.aspx#OOaHH7Ix8R5pLHzG.99
Norwich, Derby, Aston Villa, Blackburn and Fulham finished ahead of Brighton in the U-21 leagues last year, so it is touch and go whether Brighton get a place in the competition.
The benefit of extra games for our Under-23 squad will be good preparation for stepping up to the first squad when called upon.
The link for the original EFL Trophy announcement with the original 16 Category 1 Premiership academies is:-
http://www.efl.com/news/article/2016/efl-trophy-format-confirmed-for-201617-3170687.aspx
http://www.efl.com/news/article/2016/efl-trophy-group-stage-draw-date-announced-3207560.aspx
The Category 1 Academy invitations will be announced at 0930.
According to the following Wikipedia link there are still five slots available to Category 1 Championship academies in the order in which they finished the 2015-16 U21 Premier League D1/D2 tables.
" Norwich, Aston Villa , Brighton, Derby , Wolves and Blackburn are therefore expected to be asked to enter".
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016–17_EFL_Trophy
Of the Premiership teams, Arsenal, Chelsea, Man City and Spurs all declined and Liverpool and Man Utd are thought unlikely to field U-23 teams as the early group stages clash with England U-21 games.
Of the Championship teams, Newcastle were already included in the 16 Premiership invitees and Reading have confirmed participation ( In D1 of the U21 league).
http://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/art...ophy-2016-17-3207081.aspx#OOaHH7Ix8R5pLHzG.99
Norwich, Derby, Aston Villa, Blackburn and Fulham finished ahead of Brighton in the U-21 leagues last year, so it is touch and go whether Brighton get a place in the competition.
The benefit of extra games for our Under-23 squad will be good preparation for stepping up to the first squad when called upon.
The link for the original EFL Trophy announcement with the original 16 Category 1 Premiership academies is:-
http://www.efl.com/news/article/2016/efl-trophy-format-confirmed-for-201617-3170687.aspx
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