Groupings, byes announced for Football League Trophy

The four regional groupings and first-round byes have been announced ahead of the start of this year's Football League Trophy.

32 of the 48 sides from League One and League Two will take part in the first round later this month, while 16 have been handed byes.

Wigan Athletic and Blackpool, who were both relegated from the Championship last season, are in the North (West) group, but both receive byes.

However, Millwall, who also dropped down from the second tier, will have to play in the first round in the South (East), where they could be drawn against the likes of League Two sides Cambridge United or Luton Town.

The two sides promoted from the Conference Premier will both take part in the South (West) grouping, but playoff winners Bristol Rovers have a bye, while champions Barnet must play in round one.

Cup holders Bristol City will not return to defend their title, having won promotion to the Championship last season.

The draw for the first round of the competition will be held on Saturday.

Football League Trophy groupings and byes in full:

North (West) Accrington Stanley Bury Carlisle United Morecambe Oldham Athletic Port Vale Shrewbury Town Walsall Byes: Blackpool, Crewe Alexandra, Fleetwood Town, Wigan Athletic

North (East) Barnsley Burton Albion Doncaster Rovers Hartlepool United Mansfield Town Notts County Scunthorpe United Sheffield United Byes: Bradford City, Chesterfield, Rochdale, York City

South (West) AFC Wimbledon Barnet Exeter City Newport County Plymouth Argyle Portsmouth Swindon Town Yeovil Town Byes: Bristol Rovers, Coventry City, Oxford United, Wycombe Wanderers

South (East) Cambridge United Colchester United Dagenham & Redbridge Leyton Orient Luton Town Millwall Northampton Town Peterborough United Byes: Crawley Town, Gillingham, Southend United, Stevange