The 16 groups for the 2017/18 Checkatrade Trophy have now been drawn.

The groups, which are split into Northern and Southern sections, each contain three EFL clubs, and one invited under-21 team following Wednesday afternoon's draw.

EFL clubs have been placed into their respective groups in order to minimise overall travel for the clubs and fans following feedback. This process will be reviewed at the end of the season.

Invited under-21 teams will play all group games away from home.

The first round of group stage fixtures will take place week commencing 28th August 2017.

The groups are as follows:

Northern Section

Group A Group B Group C Group D Carlisle United Accrington Stanley Blackburn Rovers Crewe Alexandra Fleetwood Town Blackpool Bury Oldham Athletic Morecambe Wigan Athletic Rochdale Port Vale Leicester City Middlesbrough Stoke City Newcastle United

Group E Group F Group G Group H Coventry City Bradford City Lincoln City Doncaster Rovers Shrewsbury Town Chesterfield Mansfield Town Grimsby Town Walsall Rotherham United Notts County Scunthorpe United West Bromwich Albion Manchester City Everton Sunderland

Southern Section

Group A Group B Group C Group D Charlton Athletic Colchester United Bristol Rovers Exeter City Crawley Town Gillingham Swindon Town Plymouth Argyle Portsmouth Southend United Wycombe Wanderers Yeovil Town Fulham Reading West Ham United Chelsea