The EFL and the 72 clubs it represents have ruled out including Premier League B teams in future to reform English football.

A statement on the EFL website said: "Following a meeting of its clubs on Thursday, September 22, the EFL confirmed that the inclusion of Premier League B Teams, clubs from non-English leagues or those outside the English football pyramid, will not form part of any ongoing discussions for the ‘Whole Game Solution’.

"EFL clubs have been collectively discussing the fundamental issue of reforming the structure of English league football for the first time since agreeing to assess ideas put forward by the EFL Board at last summer’s Annual General Meeting.

"Those suggestions, which aim to improve the format of EFL competitions and the revenues received by clubs, posed a number of critical questions and these have been the subject of a consultation process with clubs during this past six weeks.

"All clubs, who will potentially vote on a final proposal in June 2017, have been considering the specific issues of regionalisation, the number of teams per division, divisional restructure, winter break and from where in the game the additional teams will come from.

"The majority of these issues, including how the funding redistribution model will work in the future, will continue to be assessed as the discussions are shaped over the next two months, but the option of sourcing additional clubs from anywhere but the National League has been withdrawn.

"In addition, the feedback has confirmed that clubs in League One, Two and the proposed League Three would want to play through a winter break if introduced."

EFL Chief Executive Shaun Harvey added: "The next round of consultation will also see us undertake some work with fan groups and other stakeholders to ensure that those people who are invested in the future our game are given an opportunity to register their views.”

The news comes in the season, in which, the newly-named Checkatrade Trophy allowed Premier League and Championship clubs to enter 'B teams' into the competition for the first time.

Carlisle United started their Checkatrade Trophy campaign with a 5-4 victory at Oldham.