COLCHESTER United have discovered their Papa John's Trophy opponents.

The U's have been drawn in Group A against fellow League Two side Gillingham and Charlton Athletic, who are now managed by former Swindon Town boss Ben Garner.

Colchester will find out on Thursday which of the Premier League youth academies they will host in Group A, with the draw taking place at 11.30am on Sky Sports News.

The invited clubs in the Southern Section of the draw are Arsenal, Aston Villa, Brighton, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Southampton, Tottenham and West Ham.

Games are scheduled to take place in the weeks commencing August 29, September 19 and October 17, although these dates are subject to change.

2022/23 Papa John's Trophy Group Stage Southern Section

Group A: Charlton Athletic, Colchester United, Gillingham

Group B: AFC Wimbledon, Crawley Town, Portsmouth

Group C: Cheltenham Town, Milton Keynes Dons, Walsall

Group D: Peterborough United, Stevenage, Wycombe Wanderers

Group E: Bristol Rovers, Plymouth Argyle, Swindon Town

Group F: Exeter City, Forest Green Rovers, Newport County

Group G: Oxford United, Leyton Orient, Sutton United

Group H: Cambridge United, Ipswich Town, Northampton Town

Meanwhile, Colchester will be ball number nine in the South Section of the Carabao Cup first-round draw, which also takes place on Thursday.

The draw will take place live on Sky Sports News at 2.30pm.