Carlisle United have been handed a trip to Sheffield United in the first round of next season's Carabao Cup.

The Blues were given a tough clash at Bramall Lane with the Blades, who were relegated from the Premier League last season.

The northern section tie will pit Chris Beech's side against a home team under the new management of Slavisa Jokanovic.

It could hand the Cumbrians a test against opponents full of top-flight experience.

England keeper Aaron Ramsdale, ex-Carlisle loan midfielder Oliver Norwood and Scotland's John Fleck are among the Blades squad, along with another former Blues man in Regan Slater.

It will be the first League Cup meeting between the sides.

They last met in League One in the 2013/14 season, Carlisle going down 1-0 at Bramall Lane after beaing the Blades by the same scoreline at Brunton Park.

The Blues last won at Sheffield United's ground in 1980, a 2-0 Third Division victory.

First round games are scheduled to take place in the week starting August 9 - but some could be played earlier, with the EFL saying clubs are able to mutually agree an alternative date between July 31 and August 4.

The first round draw, conducted by Andrew Cole and Danny Mills, was made shortly after it was announced that Carabao have agreed a two-year extension to their sponsorship of the League Cup.

The energy drink firm will now remain the competition's title sponsor until 2024, having first sponsored the cup in 2017.