Carlisle United have described a new scheme that will pay clubs who field home-grown players as a "move in the right direction".

The EFL is offering £750,000 in each of the next three seasons to be shared by clubs in the Championship, League One and League Two.

That is provided they hand first-team opportunities to home-grown players under the age of 21 who are eligible to play for England - or Wales, in the case of Newport and Cardiff.

The scheme - called EFL Futures - has attracted criticism in light of the EFL's controversial rules in the Checkatrade Trophy, which has seen several lower-league clubs fined for fielding too many young players.

Other critics have questioned the merits of the scheme given how the Elite Player Performance Plan enables the country's biggest clubs more easily than ever to sign players from smaller clubs at a younger age and without the old geographical restrictions.

It has also been pointed out that, if evenly split between the 72 EFL clubs, the cash on offer each season would only amount to £10,417 per club.

The EFL have said that League One and League Two clubs would stand to receive more than that, as those divisions feature more home-grown English or Welsh players than the Championship.

Carlisle's chief executive Nigel Clibbens said: “The scheme will provide new money which will flow into clubs, ring-fenced to support the development of home-grown players. That is another step forward and should be welcomed.

“We’ve seen very recently here at Brunton Park that if young players like Jordan Holt and Cameron Salkeld are performing well enough, our manager will give them an opportunity.

"I don’t think any manager would ever pick a player based purely on a financial incentive, but this is a move in the right direction in encouraging clubs to find, nurture and develop young players, knowing that there is a reward which recognises that approach.”

United co-owner and "director of external affairs" John Nixon represents League Two clubs on the EFL board.

He said: "We [the EFL] have tried a number of initiatives and we will continue to find ways of promoting young talent.

"I do think we also need to keep trying to find ways to make sure that the young players on our doorstep are getting every opportunity to make their way into the professional game.”

EFL chief executive Shaun Harvey, who has faced strong criticism from many fans over the Checkatrade Trophy, insisted the EFL was "leading the way" in developing young players who could benefit the England team in the long run.