Premier League ' B ' teams could be allowed to play in the Johnstone 's Paint Trophy under new plans discussed at a meeting of Football League clubs . 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 the Premier League would be allowed to compete with the 48 League One and Two teams if plans are finalised . Football League clubs authorised the Football League 's executive to push forward with the plans last month , although a formal proposal is yet to be passed . The Johnstone 's Paint Trophy could involve Premier League ' B ' teams in future if plans get the go-ahead . Youth squads from the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea could soon be headed for the lower-tier cup . If the Football League do bring ' B ' teams into the Johnstone 's Paint Trophy , they could adopt a similar format to that suggested by Greg Dyke last year , meaning teams would : . And in a meeting of AFC Wimbledon 's Supporters ' Trust , The Dons Trust , it was revealed that only one League Two club voted against the idea - Wimbledon themselves . FA Chairman Greg Dyke proposed the idea of bringing ' B ' teams into the league pyramid itself in June last year but was told that Football League clubs had 'no appetite ' for such a move . However it now seems that they 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 . 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 . '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 . 'Given the previous concerns of the League and its clubs about Premier League B teams playing in the pyramid , any final proposal would also be accompanied by a change to the League 's Articles of Association that would protect the current 72 club constitution , save for any changes to promotion/relegation that clubs wished to make . Peterborough manager Darren Ferguson holds the trophy last year - but a youth coach win it in future . 'Therefore , having provided them with this comfort , clubs willingly debated the potential commercial , financial and player development benefits of having U21 teams in this competition from 2015/16 . 'No formal proposals were tabled and no formal vote taken . 'Instead , League One and Two clubs were asked to indicate whether they were content to see The Football League progress the matter , which would include discussions with the Premier League and Football Association , so that clubs can consider a full proposal at a future point . ' Fans head to Wembley Stadium for the show-piece final of last year 's competition in March .
rugby league clubs could field ' feeder ' teams in the Johnstone 's Paint Trophy . Football League clubs voted in favour of the idea last month . Football is currently split between the 48 League One and Two clubs . Last and similar plans by FA Chairman Greg Dyke were widely discussed .