Carlisle United have been drawn in Group A of this season's Checkatrade Trophy competition alongside fellow League Two outfit Morecambe and League One newcomers Sunderland.
United will also play Stoke City U21 who will join Group A as the invited team.
With United having played Morecambe away at the same stage last season, guidelines dictate that we will host the Shrimps at Brunton Park this time round.
All invited teams play their games away, which means the Blues will travel to the Stadium of Light to play Sunderland for our only away fixture of the group stage of this season's competition.
Invited teams have been restricted to fielding two players over the age of 21, and more than 40 first team appearances, for this season's competition. In addition, players from EFL clubs who are out on loan are now eligible to feature.
Match dates for the group stages are as follows:
Match 1 - w/c 3 September 2018.
Match 2 - w/c 8 October 2018.
Match 3 - w/c 12 November 2018.
Alternative dates are available for all stages pending progress for participating clubs in the Carabao Cup.
We'll have full fixture details as soon as they are finalised.