The draw for round one of this season’s Johnstone's Paint Trophy competition will take place on Saturday, August 16th.As in previous seasons, the first round will see clubs divided into four regional groupings - with 16 clubs being awarded byes into round two.
Peterborough United, who lifted the trophy for the first time at Wembley in March, will be in first round action in the south east section.
The side Posh beat 3-1 in the final, Chesterfield, will also compete in the first round in the north east section.
Of the three clubs relegated from the Championship last season, Doncaster Rovers - the first ever winners of the Football League Trophy under the sponsorship of Johnstone’s Paint in 2007 - received a bye but Yeovil Town and Barnsley will both be in the first round draw.
This season’s final will take place at Wembley on March 22.
Ben Wilde, Johnstone’s trade brand and sponsorship manager, said: “The start of the football season is always an exciting time of the year and the announcement of the regional groups for the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy brings that another step nearer.
“Last season’s competition was a huge success, culminating in a thrilling final in front of more than 35,000 fans.
“This season’s competition promises to be just as exciting with plenty of clubs in the hunt for silverware.”
Johnstone’s Paint is busily preparing for its ninth season of sponsorship of the Football League Trophy.
Full draw details
Northern Section West : Accrington Stanley, Carlisle United, Crewe Alexandra, Fleetwood Town, Morecambe, Preston North End, Rochdale, Shrewsbury Town
Northern Section East : Barnsley, Bradford City, Chesterfield, Mansfield Town, Notts County, Oldham Athletic, Scunthorpe United, York City
Southern Section West : Cheltenham Town, Coventry City, Newport County, Oxford United, Portsmouth, Swindon Town, Wycombe Wanderers, Yeovil Town
Southern Section East : AFC Wimbledon, Cambridge United, Crawley Town, Gillingham, Leyton Orient, Peterborough United, Southend United, Stevenage
Northern Section byes : Bury, Port Vale, Tranmere Rovers, Walsall, Burton Albion, Doncaster Rovers, Hartlepool United, Sheffield United
Southern Section byes : Bristol City, Exeter City, Northampton Town, Plymouth Argyle, Colchester United, Dagenham & Redbridge, Luton Town, Milton Keynes Dons