As an experiment, Category 1 Academy teams are being admitted this year into the revamped English Football League (previously Johnson Paint) Trophy.
Sunderland are one of the 10 Premier League clubs who opted to enter their U-23 teams and have been drawn into a preliminary group along with Hartlepool United, Notts. County and Rochdale.
The starting eleven for each of these games must include 6 Under-21 players. Fixture dates will be announced in due course.