Sunderland under-23s have discovered their English Football League Trophy opposition following Wednesday morning’s draw.
Andy Welsh’s young Black Cats, who enter the competition for the first time as part of the Football League’s revamp, will take on Rochdale, Hartlepool United and Notts County in Northern Group F at least once, either home or away.
Sixteen Category 1 Academy have been invited to participate in the Trophy this year on a one year trial basis, with the long-term structure of the tournament set to be determined at the end of the 2016-17 season.
Six players aged 21 or under must be selected in the starting eleven with the matchday squad made up of fellow Academy starlets or first-team players.
Sunderland under-23s' fixtures:-
Match Day 1 – w/c 29th August 2016
Rochdale v Sunderland
Match Day 2 – w/c 3rd October 2016
Hartlepool United v Sunderland
Match Day 3 – w/c 7th November 2016
Sunderland v Notts County
Further details including ticket prices will be announced here on safc.com in due course.
