Carlisle United learn Trophy group stage opponents

Carlisle United have today learned two of their opponents in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy.

Paul Simpson's side will take on League One side Wigan Athletic and fellow League Two outfit Morecambe in the 2024/25 competition.

The Blues are in group C, which will be completed by a Premier League Under-21 side when the draw is made on Thursday.

It will be the ninth season of the controversial inclusion of top-flight clubs in what was previously a competition purely for lower-league sides.

United failed to get out of the group last season and also recorded Brunton Park's lowest-ever attendance for a first-team game, when just 716 fans watched the 2-0 win over Harrogate Town.

The latest draw means Carlisle will face Morecambe - under returning boss Derek Adams - at least three times in the new campaign.

And they will again face a Wigan side manager by Shaun Maloney who they faced twice in League One last term, drawing 1-1 at Brunton Park before losing 2-0 at the DW Stadium.

It has not yet been confirmed which of the Morecambe and Wigan games will be at home and which will be away.

The encounter against the invited Under-21 side will be at Brunton Park.

United's potential opponents are: Aston Villa U21, Everton U21, Liverpool U21, Manchester City U21, Manchester United U21, Newcastle United U21, Nottingham Forest U21 and Wolverhampton Wanderers U21.

The draw is completed from 2.30pm on Thursday.