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United to compete in 2020/21 EFL Trophy
A Newcastle United under-21 side will again compete in the EFL Trophy this season, it has been confirmed.
The Magpies are one of 11 Category One academies who are taking part in this term’s competition, which will kick off in September.
And United, who will be led by under-23s coach Chris Hogg and newly-appointed assistant Peter Ramage, will learn their opponents when the group stage draw is made live on TalkSPORT 2 at 1:30pm on Tuesday, 18th August.
Last season, Newcastle didn’t progress from a group featuring Port Vale, Shrewsbury Town and Macclesfield Town, but in 2018/19 the young Magpies won all three of their group games against Notts County, Doncaster Rovers and Grimsby Town to top the group.
They then saw off Macclesfield on penalties at St. James’ Park before exiting at the round of 16 stage following a defeat at League One outfit Sunderland.
Matchday one will take place on Tuesday, 8th September and Wednesday 9th September, with the second group stage fixtures scheduled for 6th and 7th October.
United will wrap up their initial fixtures on 10th or 11th November and, should they progress, could have a round of 32 game to look forward to on 8th or 9th December.
The round of 16 is set to take place on 12th or 13th January 2021, with the quarter-finals following on 2nd or 3rd February.
The last four will play for a place in the showpiece final on 16th or 17th February, with the final itself set to be contested at Wembley on Sunday, 14th March 2021.
Along with Newcastle, the ten other invited Category One academy clubs are Arsenal, Leicester City, Chelsea, Manchester United, Wolves and Southampton.
Aston Villa, Liverpool, West Bromwich Albion and Fulham complete the list of invited under-21 sides.