United have been drawn in Group G of the competition, and are one of 16 invited Premier League and Championship clubs who will field under-21 sides against the EFL outfits.

It means former Newcastle favourite Kevin Nolan – now manager of Notts County – will come up against his old club, as Ben Dawson’s youngsters look to go one better than last term and progress from the group stage.

Last season, United were joined by Oldham Athletic, Crewe Alexandra and Port Vale in what was the first time the club had entered the Checkatrade Trophy.

This time round, they will be hoping to progress from a group which contains two previous winners of the competition – Grimsby and Doncaster – formerly known as the Football League Trophy.

Grant McCann’s Donny are currently in League One, while Grimsby and Notts County are both in League Two.

Dates for the young Magpies’ group stage fixtures will be confirmed in due course.