Newcastle United have been handed a more favourable draw than usual in the Papa John's Trophy for next season.
The Magpies, who have had long trips to places like Crewe Alexandra and Shrewsbury Town in recent years in the so-called "northern section" of the competition, will face Sheffield Wednesday, Harrogate Town and Mansfield Town in the 2021/22 tournament.
The group games will give Chris Hogg's side the chance to push on to the knockout stages and improve on their poor recent record against EFL sides.
Indeed, the Under-21s have not won in the competition since the 2018/19 season when they reached the last 16, beating Crewe, Doncaster, Notts County and Macclesfield along the way before losing to Sunderland's first-team at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland will go into next term's Papa John's Trophy as the holders.
United said on their website: "Matchday one is scheduled to take place on the week commencing Monday, 30th August, with the second group stage fixture set to take place on the week commencing Monday, 4th October.
"United will wrap up their initial fixtures on the week commencing Monday, 8th November and, should they progress, could have a round of 32 clash to look forward to on the week commencing Monday, 29th November.
"Last term, Newcastle were unable progress from a group featuring Shrewsbury Town, Crewe Alexandra and Bolton Wanderers."
