Carlisle United will take on Nottingham Forest's Under-21s in the EFL Trophy.

The Premier League club's young side have been drawn in United's group in the competition for the 2023/24 season.

They join the Blues, Accrington Stanley and Harrogate Town in northern group C.

The City Ground club will visit Brunton Park for a group stage fixture in the autumn.

It comes in the eighth running of the controversial competition since it opened the door to top-flight under-21 clubs in exchange for extra prize money from the Premier League.

It is the first time Forest have had an Under-21 team in the competition.

The draw was made on Sky Sports on Thursday morning.

Lower-league clubs had already been placed in groups, leaving the draw to allocate Premier League teams into each group.

The draw was conducted by ex-Lincoln, Huddersfield and Portsmouth boss Danny Cowley and former Forest, Spurs and Hull defender Michael Dawson.

Forest's Under-21 ranks could include ex-Carlisle loan star Fin Back, 20, unless he is again involved in first-team football out on loan next season or with his parent club.

Fixture dates for United's trophy games are yet to be confirmed. All group stage fixtures must be completed by Wednesday, November 22.