COLCHESTER United will immediately face the drama of a penalty shoot-out - should they find themselves level after normal time at any stage in next season’s Carabao Cup.

At its 2018 Summer Conference, EFL Clubs have voted on a number of rule changes to next season’s Carabao Cup competition.

And those changes include the removal of extra-time, starting from next season.

The rationale put forward by the EFL is that withdrawing the additional 30 minutes of play would directly address any additional fatigue issues that are occasionally caused when the midweek ties go beyond the traditional 90-minute period.

A statistical analysis was presented that demonstrated how almost 85 per cent of matches ended in normal time over a three-year period, without the additional period being required and as a result.

Clubs have supported the new approach.

In the event that scores are tied after 90-minutes, penalty kicks will be taken immediately to determine a winner.

However, the format of penalties in the competition will revert to the traditional format after EFL Clubs trialled the ABBA concept throughout the 2017/18 season.

This will be applicable in all EFL competitions.

There will also be no seedings in the first two rounds of next season’s competition, after clubs voted to remove the previous arrangements.

Last season, Colchester who were unseeded were knocked out by seeded side Aston Villa at home, in the first round of the competition.

Round One will remain regionalised into North and South sections.

The EFL also confirmed that VAR can be used in next season’s competition at all fixtures played at a Premier League stadium.

Meanwhile, the EFL has started the debate with League One and League Two Clubs as to the future format of the Checkatrade Trophy.

After the initial pilot season in 2016/17, clubs voted to retain the position last summer, whereby 16 Category 1 teams were invited to participate in the competition for a two-season cycle which comes to an end after next year’s final at Wembley Stadium.

The changes were initially made to assist the revitalisation of a flagging competition, whilst also creating playing opportunities for young players and providing increased revenue for EFL Clubs.