Luton's Vertu Trophy group stage opponents are announced
Town to face Peterborough United and Colchester United
Luton Town have been drawn against Peterborough United and Colchester United in the group stages of the Vertu Trophy, as they look to win the tournament for the second season running.
After beating Stockport County 3-1 at Wembley last term to be crowned champions for the second time in their history, Luton will now face a Posh side whom they did the double over in the league last term, winning 2-0 away from home and 2-1 at Kenilworth Road, plus League Two side Colchester, who finished 12th in the fourth tier last term.
Jack Wilshere’s team will also take on one of the U21s sides from either Arsenal, Brentford, Brighton, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Fulham, Ipswich or Spurs. The draw for the group stages of the Trophy will take place live on Sky Sports News on Thursday, June 25, from 2.30pm, with former Bolton Wanderers and West Ham United midfielder Kevin Nolan and ex-Ipswich Town and Nottingham Forest defender, Luke Chambers picking out the balls.
The group stages will kick-off in early September, with dates to be confirmed following the release of the fixture list on Thursday, with the knockouts beginning in early December, while the EFL’s record domestic rights deal with broadcaster Sky Sports will see every EFL Trophy match broadcast live on Sky Sports for fans in the United Kingdom.
Southern Section, Group A: Oxford United, Cheltenham Town, Exeter City. Group B: Leicester City, Walsall, Stevenage. Group C: Reading, Bristol Rovers, Wycombe Wanderers. Group D: Luton Town, Peterborough United, Colchester United. Group E: Plymouth Argyle, Swindon Town, Newport County. Group F: AFC Wimbledon, Leyton Orient, Barnet. Group G: Cambridge United, Gillingham, Northampton Town. Group H: Bromley, Crawley Town, Milton Keynes Dons.
Ball Numbers for U21s side: 1, Arsenal U21; 2, Brentford U21; 3, Brighton & Hove Albion U21; 4, Chelsea U21; 5, Crystal Palace U21; 6, Fulham U21; 7, Ipswich Town U21; 8, Tottenham Hotspur U21.
Northern Section, Group A: Sheffield Wednesday, Salford City, Accrington Stanley. Group B: Blackpool, Wigan Athletic, Crewe Alexandra. Group C: Bradford City, York City, Rotherham United. Group D: Mansfield Town, Chesterfield, Port Vale. Group E: Stockport County, Tranmere Rovers, Shrewsbury Town. Group F: Burton Albion, Notts County, Grimsby Town. Group G: Barnsley, Oldham Athletic, Fleetwood Town. Group H: Huddersfield Town, Doncaster Rovers, Rochdale.
Ball Numbers for U21s sides: 1, Aston Villa U21; 2, Everton U21; 3, Leeds United U21; 4, Liverpool U21; 5, Manchester City U21; 6, Newcastle United U21; 7, Nottingham Forest U21; 8, Sunderland U21
Dates, Group Stage: From early September. Round of 32: w/c 7th December. Round of 16: w/c 11th January. Quarter Finals: w/c 15th February. Semi Finals: w/c 8th March. Final: Sunday 11th April.