WREXHAM will face League Two sides Port Vale and Salford City, as well as a Premier League Academy team, in the EFL Trophy group stage next season.

The Reds, who won the competition in 2005, will be in North Group B and the three EFL league teams will be be joined by one Premier League Under-21 to complete the group.

That draw will be made on Thursday, live on Sky Sports News at 2.30pm, and all fixture details will be confirmed in due course.

The eight Under-21 teams entered into the northern section, and their draw numbers, are as follows: 1 Aston Villa U21; 2 Everton U21; 3 Liverpool U21; 4 Manchester City U21; 5 Manchester United U21; 6 Newcastle United U21; 7 Nottingham Forest U21; 8 Wolverhampton Wanderers U21.

The two top from each group progress to the knockout stages, with fixtures remaining regionalised until the quarter-final stage.

Wrexham, competing in the competition for the first time in 15 years, reached the knockout stages last season.

Phil Parkinson's side finished top of the group with three wins from three after beating Newcastle United U21s (1-0), Crewe Alexandra (3-0) and Port Vale (2-1).

However, the Reds lost 3-2 at home to Burton Albion in the first knock-out round.