Manchester City and Tottenham will enter their academy sides into the 2017/18 Checkatrade Trophy having turned down the opportunity last season.

They join Premier League champions Chelsea in agreeing to enter their under-21 teams alongside Sky Bet League One and League Two sides, a move which was implemented last year to mixed success.

Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United have once again abstained from entering the tournament with only category one academies receiving an invite.

While fans stayed away in their droves for much of last year's competition, over a third of the EFL clubs voted to retain the format for the next two seasons with few amendments.

The full list of invited under-21 teams: Brighton and Hove Albion, Chelsea, Everton, Fulham, Leicester City, Manchester City, Middlesbrough, Newcastle United, Reading, Southampton, Stoke City, Sunderland, Swansea City, Tottenham Hotspur, West Bromwich Albion, West Ham United