Sunderland's EFL Trophy group stage fixture dates have been confirmed.
The Black Cats have been placed in Northern Section Group A along with Scunthorpe United, Grimsby Town, and invited academy team Leicester City U21.
And Jack Ross' side will begin their Trophy campaign against League Two Grimsby at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday, October 8.
Leicester City U21 will then visit the Stadium of Light on Tuesday, November 5, with the Black Cats rounding off their group stage programme a week later with a trip to League Two Scunthorpe's Glanford Park ground on Tuesday, November 12.
Further details of the three fixtures, including kick-off times and ticketing details, will be announced by the club nearer the time.
Sunderland reached the final of the EFL Trophy at the end of March last season, but lost out to League One rivals Portsmouth 5-4 in a dramatic penalty shootout at Wembley after the sides had finished level at 2-2 following extra-time.
Ross' men drew with Stoke City U21 and beat Carlisle United and Morecambe in the group stage last term.
They then went on to defeat Notts County 2-0, Newcastle United U21 4-0, Manchester City U21 2-0, and Bristol Rovers 2-0, en route to the final.
