Clubs in Leagues One and Two have been asked to consider allowing Under-21 Premier League sides to take part in the Football League Trophy.
Teams were against the inclusion of top-flight 'B' teams in the lower leagues and this proposal has now been put forward as an alternative.
If the motion is successful, the format of the tournament would change from a straight knockout to a group stage followed by knockout ties.
The Football League has not yet formally proposed the idea or begun to take a vote, but it has asked clubs to give consent for the issue to be explored further.
A statement today read: "Clubs have been asked to consider the concept of permitting 16 Under-21 teams from clubs with category one academies to participate in the Football League Trophy.
"The competition would feature 16 groups of four teams with one Under-21 team in each group, before a knockout stage leading to a final at Wembley Stadium."
The League also insisted that "any final proposal would also be accompanied by a change to the League's Articles of Association that would protect the current 72 club constitution".
Pascal Lemesre
