OXFORD United have been drawn alongside Chelsea and Swindon Town in the group stage of the EFL Trophy.

League Two side Exeter City complete Southern Group C, with sides playing once home or away in the controversial new format of what was the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

With the Category One academy side due to play their one home game at the first-team stadium, it will see the U’s make their first visit to Stamford Bridge since 1999.

United's Group stage fixtures

  • w/c August 29: Oxford United v Exeter City
  • w/c October 3: Swindon Tn v Oxford United
  • w/c November 7: Chelsea v Oxford United

Half a dozen clubs with the highest-rated academies declined their invitations to take part.

Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur were all missing from the pots announced ahead of this morning’s group stage draw.

The new competition has been unpopular with many supporters, who are especially unhappy about the inclusion of the academy sides.

Despite chairman Darryl Eales not being in favour, the U's board were among a majority of League One and League Two clubs to vote in favour of the one-season pilot at the English Football League (EFL)'s AGM in June.

In a statement the club cited the need to search for solutions to secure the cup's future was behind the decision.