Papa John's Trophy

Everton's Under-21s will take on Carlisle United in the Papa John's Trophy next season.

The Toffees were drawn into the Blues' group in the 2021/22 competition.

The Premier League club's young second string will face Carlisle, Morecambe and Hartlepool in northern Group A of the controversial competition.

It is the first time Carlisle will have faced Everton, led by David Unsworth, in the Trophy.

They are also due to face the young Toffees side in a behind-closed-doors pre-season friendly next month.

Everton - whose squad includes the talented ex-Blues defender Jarrad Branthwaite - are one of 16 top-flight competitions invited into next season's Trophy in the sixth year since big clubs were invited into what was previously a lower-league cup.

The involvement of the top flight's Category One academies has brought increased prize money, but has also prompted some fans to boycott the competition.

Carlisle did not make it past the group stage last season after defeats to Sunderland and Fleetwood and victory over Aston Villa U21s.

Everton U21s did not take part in last season's tournament but have returned this season.