article_snippet: Walsall are set to play Bristol City in the final of this year's tournament on March 22, but in future second-string sides from Premier League would be allowed to compete with the 48 League One and Two teams if plans are finalised.
article_snippet: Youth squads from the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea could soon be headed for the lower-tier cup .
article_snippet: However it now seems that Football League clubs are more keen on introducing the development squads into the JPT in a move that could one day see youth sides from the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea facing each other in a Wembley Stadium show-piece final.
article_snippet: A statement from the Football League clarifying the situation read: 'Clubs have been asked to consider the concept of permitting 16 U21 teams from clubs with category one academies to participate in The Football League Trophy. '
article_snippet: The competition would feature 16 groups of four teams with one U21 team in each group, before a knockout stage leading to a final at Wembley Stadium. '
article_snippet: Peterborough manager Darren Ferguson holds The Football League Trophy last year - but a youth coach win it in future . '
article_snippet: Therefore, having provided them with this comfort, clubs willingly debated the potential commercial, financial and player development benefits of having U21 teams in The competition from 2015/16. '
article_snippet: Fans head to Wembley Stadium for the show-piece final of last year's competition in March .
highlights_snippet: Tournament is currently played between the 48 League One and Two clubs .
  