Gillingham have found out two of the three teams they will play in the group stage of the EFL Trophy.

The Gills will be coming up against League 1 rivals Ipswich Town and League 2 side Colchester United in Southern Group A.

One top-flight academy side will also be drawn into each of the 16 groups and that draw takes place on Friday.

Gillingham will face one of either Arsenal, Brighton, Chelsea, Fulham, Norwich, Southampton, Tottenham or West Ham at Priestfield in the competition.

The top two teams qualify for the second round, with teams earning three points for a win and one for a draw. Drawn games will also be finished with a penalty shootout, enabling teams to earn an additional point.

Last season the Gills lost their two opening group games 4-0, in what was then the Checkatrade Trophy, those defeats coming against eventual winners Portsmouth and Tottenham's under-21s.

They completed their first round campaign with a 2-1 win over Crawley Town, with goals from Elliott List and Bradley Stevenson.

The first round draw will be completed on Friday afternoon and fixture details are to be confirmed shortly after. The first game of the group matches takes place on the week commencing Monday, September 2.

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