READING FC are set to compete in the EFL Trophy for the first time in 15 years.

Royals will meet Portsmouth, Bristol Rovers and Yeovil Town in the group stage after the draw was made on Wednesday.

Reading have not been eligible to enter the competition since a quarter-final defeat to Barnet in 2001/02 in what was then the LDV Vans Trophy.

But the revamped version of the competition will see teams compete in a round-robin against the other three clubs in their group, before heading into a knock-out format.

Rather than just the 48 clubs from League 1 and League 2 entering, this year those teams are also joined by 16 invited EPPP Category 1 clubs – including Reading.

All Category 1 clubs are obliged to field a minimum of six Under 21 players in their starting XI.

New competition rules mean in the event of a drawn game after 90 minutes, a penalty shootout will be held, with the winning team earn two points rather than one.

The top two teams from each of the 16 groups will progress to the knockout stage.

Round 2 will remain regionalised with each group winner being drawn at home to a second placed team from a different qualifying group.

From Round 3 onwards, it will be a ‘free’ draw between the remaining clubs.

All knock-out rounds are one leg, and the final takes place at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, April 2.

There is also an enhanced prize fund with an expected £1.95m up for grabs, including £10,000 per win and £5,000 per draw during the group stage as well as £100,000 for the eventual winner.

Southern Group A: Bristol Rovers v Reading (August 29); Portsmouth v Reading ( w/c October 3); Reading v Yeovil Town (w/c November 7).

Reading FC Women

READING FC Women were held to a 1-1 draw by Birmingham City Ladies in Women’s Super League 1 on Sunday.

Player/manager Melissa Fletcher fired Royals into the lead with a 47th minute strike at Adams Park.

But the Blues snatched a point when Isabelle Linden levelled with 74 minutes gone to extend their unbeaten run to nine matches.

Reading, who are still waiting for their first league win this season, host Notts County Ladies at Wycombe’s Adams Park tomorrow (Sunday, 2pm ko).