The Magpies will be one of 16 under-21 sides to take part in this year's competition, which was won by Coventry City last season.

The tournament consists of 48 clubs from League One and League Two as well as the sides invited to represent Category One academies.

Category One clubs have been split into North and South sections and will be drawn into each group on Wednesday, 12th July at 3pm.

Newcastle are number five in the Northern Category One section. They will be drawn into one of the following groups:

Group A Carlisle United Fleetwood Town Morecambe

Group B Accrington Stanley Blackpool Wigan AthleticGroup C Blackburn Rovers Bury Rochdale Group D Crewe Alexandra Oldham Athletic Port Vale

Group E Coventry City Shrewsbury Town WalsallGroup F Bradford City Chesterfield Rotherham United

Group G Lincoln City Mansfield Town Notts County Group H Doncaster Rovers Grimsby Town Scunthorpe United