THE new format for the EFL Trophy has been confirmed for this season.

Oxford United will be in one one of 16 groups of four teams, which will include a Category One Academy side - to play their home games at the first-team's stadium.

The introduction of the sides, who only have to field six players under 21 in their starting XI, has been controversial, with fans' groups fearing it is the first step towards Premier League B teams playing in the league system.

United were one of a majority of clubs who voted in favour of the change what was previously known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, backing the one-season pilot as an experiment to boost a flagging competition.

An increased prize fund means teams will receive £10,000 per victory and £5,000 per draw in the group stage, with £100,000 going to the eventual winner.

The invited clubs will also donate their 45 per cent share of the gate receipts in the group stage to a fund to be shared equally between the clubs in Leagues One and Two.

The date for the regionalised group stage draw has yet to be announced, but the fixture dates have been announced.

Draws in the initial round will lead to a penalty shoot-out, with the winning team earning an additional point.

United will be in action in the weeks commencing August 29, October 3 and November 7. 

As before, there are limits on the number of changes to the side which can be made, although it has been relaxed slightly to force teams to select five 'first team' players rather than six.

Shaun Harvey, EFL's chief executive, said: "The new format is intended to rejuvenate this competition and also assist the development of the very best young players in English football.

"This will help us deliver more and better home grown players which will deliver benefits to the national team and domestic league football at all levels.

"I believe this is the right time to pilot these changes to the EFL Trophy, which we will review at the end of the 2016/17 season following discussions with our clubs and having consulted with the other football bodies and supporter organisations."

A Premier League spokesman said: "The overriding aim of the Elite Player Performance Plan across the Premier League and English Football League is to produce more and better home grown players capable of performing at first team and international levels.

"Participation for a selection of Premier League clubs' teams to take part in the EFL Trophy is an important part of a range developments that both we and the EFL believe will help young, talented players progress physically and mentally on top of the technical aspect of their game developed in the Academy system. 

"It is a progressive move by both leagues – one that we welcome." 

Category One clubs invited to take part:

  • Arsenal
  • Chelsea
  • Everton
  • Leicester City
  • Liverpool
  • Manchester City
  • Manchester United
  • Middlesbrough
  • Newcastle United
  • Southampton
  • Stoke City
  • Sunderland
  • Swansea City
  • Tottenham Hotspur
  • West Bromwich Albion
  • West Ham United