EFL Cup's double draw to help planning in congested September

With the first four rounds squeezed into September, the draws for the second and third round will be made together as soon as the opening fixtures are completed.

Yorkshire's Football League clubs kick off their seasons with cup ties on Saturday, with the exception of Doncaster Rovers, who have already been knocked out after their game against Blackburn Rovers was played a week earlier to avoid a clash with the international break.

Premier League sides Leeds United and Sheffield United will join the competition in round two, with sides involved in Europe coming in at the third round.

Former Bradford City defender Phil Babb, who won the 1994-95 competition with Liverpool, will make both draws after Brentford's televised game against Wycombe Wanderers, which kicks off at noon on Sunday.

The second round is divided into northern and southern sections, but unseeded. Once that has been made, a free draw for the third round will take place, allowing extra time for planning.

The games will be played behind closed doors.

The second-round matches are due to take place in the week beginning September 14, and the third and fourth rounds in the subsequent weeks.

The early stages have been so compressed because all midweeks in October, November and early December have been set aside for European competition or international fixtures now the season has been shortened as a knock-on effect of the coronavirus lockdown.

Middlesbrough, in 2004-05 were the last Yorkshire team to win the competition although Bradford reached the 2013 final.

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