WANDERERS know two of the three teams they will face in the first round of this season’s Papa John’s Trophy.

A draw was made this afternoon which pitted Ian Evatt’s side in the same group as two League Two clubs – Port Vale and Rochdale.

A third club, drawn from one of the 16 Under-21 teams which have been invited into this year’s competition, will be added tomorrow (Thursday, June 24) at 4.30pm.

The academy teams in this year’s draw are: Arsenal, Aston Villa, Brighton, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Everton, Leeds United, Liverpool, Leicester, Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham and Wolves.

Wanderers have recent history with Port Vale, having suffered a 6-3 home defeat against the Valiants in early December.

They gained a measure of revenge in March, however, as Gethin Jones’s goal proved decisive at Vale Park, earning an important three points en route to promotion.

The Whites also have some unfinished business with local outfit Rochdale, having lost against them in four of their last six meetings.

They met in the same competition in October 2019 and earned a 1-1 draw over 90 minutes with a newly assembled team - but the rules of the competition meant a penalty shoot-out was played, and ultimately lost.

In their last stint in League One, former boss Keith Hill lost home and away against his former club.

Since the Papa John’s Trophy adopted its current format Wanderers have only once managed to get out of the group stages.

In 2019/20 they made it past a group containing Rochdale, Manchester City’s Under-21s and Bradford City only to lose 2-0 at Accrington Stanley in the second knockout round.

Meanwhile, Wanderers have also confirmed that they will play two development squad friendlies against Norwich City at Lostock on July 31.

The game will not be open to supporters but a first team friendly against Blackburn Rovers is scheduled for later the same afternoon at the University of Bolton Stadium.