Carlisle United's Premier League U21 opponents confirmed in Trophy

Carlisle United will take on Nottingham Forest's Under-21s in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy for the second successive season.

The Premier League's young side were drawn in northern group C of the Trophy for the 2024/25 campaign.

That will see Forest U21s visit Brunton Park, as well as take on Morecambe and Wigan Athletic in the group.

2024/25 will be the ninth season of the controversial inclusion of top-flight teams in the lower-league cup competition.

Their involvement has seen increased prize money but also a string of record low attendances at EFL grounds as some fans boycott the competition.

That includes at Brunton Park, where Carlisle attracted their smallest ever home attendance for a first-team fixture last season, when Harrogate Town's visit attracted just 716 to Brunton Park.

Earlier in last season's group, United lost 2-0 to Forest U21 in front of 1,268.

Forest's squad could include the former Blues loan defender Fin Back.

Carlisle will be looking to make it through the group stage for the first time in three seasons.

The first games in the group stage will be played in early September. Dates will be confirmed in due course.

It is the second cup draw involving the Blues to be made on Thursday, after United were earlier handed a home tie against Championship side Stoke City in the Carabao Cup first round.