York City begin life back in the Football League Trophy with coach Scott Lindsey stressing it is an important competition.

The attendance at the Community Stadium on Tuesday night will say otherwise, but Lindsey is very supportive of a tournament many fans are lukewarm at best towards.

It has changed since York last played in it, with the introduction of under-21 teams, such as Newcastle United's, who the Minstermen host on Tuesday, turning off some supporters, and mass changes further diluting the appeal.

Lindsey will make 11 for the group game if allowed.

York City boss Scott Lindsey is preparing his side to take on Chesterfield.

placeholder image — York City boss Scott Lindsey is preparing his side to take on Chesterfield.

But still he insists: "It's a brilliant competition.

"It's a great game for younger players to play, for me to rest some players and play players who haven't played so many minutes.

"If you look at the last six teams that I've picked in the Football League, there's not been that many changes. So there's a lot of players have played a lot of football and a lot of players that haven't.

"The idea would be to make 11 changes but I've got to make sure all the boxes are ticked for the rules."

EVER-PRESENT: Midfielder Ollie Banks has played every minute of York City's Football League return (Image: Jonathan Gawthorpe)

No under-21 side have ever won the competition, which until 2000 was reserved for teams in the bottom two divisions, with Conference sides added for six yeas before the introduction of elite academy sides in 2016.

"I think it's great for the young players at these big clubs to play against professionals – men," said Lindsey. "I think it's a great competition for that and I've had some really good games over the years against Premier League opposition.

"It's good for both teams, really."

And despite the lack of terrace enthusiasm, especially in the convoluted early stages, Lindsey expects his players to be up for it.

"It's important we progress because footballers want to play football and we've got 27 pros with a couple of lads out on loan," he said. "They've all got to play so the longer we go through the tournament, the better it is for fringe players.

"It's pleasing if you watch 11 different players but they play in the exact same manner as the first team.

"Professional footballers are really smart about doing their job whether there's 22 people in the stadium, or 8,000."