Papa John's Trophy, LDV Vans Trophy, Johnstone Paint Trophy...whatever you want to call it, this season marks the first involvement of a Reading first-team side since 2001.

Ruben Selles prepares to take his side to Exeter City, for the second time in three weeks, for an opening group game of this year's competition.

For many, this will be a first.

So, what do you need to know?

Rules

The 42nd year of the competition, all 48 League One and League Two teams enter, as well as 16 Category One Academy sides, of which Reading were one in 2016/17 and 2017/18

Split into 16 groups of four, the competition is regionalised until the quarter-final.

Every group contains one Academy side, which the third or fourth-tier side have to host.

There is then one home match, and one away match.

Like a league match, wins are rewarded with three points. However, in the case of a draw each side have the chance to earn a bonus point by winning a penalty shootout.

The top two teams progress into the knockout phase.

Clubs can only make a certain number of changes to the matchday squad, with a minimum of four 'qualifying outfield players' in their starting XI.

A 'qualifying outfield player' is:

  • A player who started the previous or following first-team fixture.
  • A player who is in the top 10 players at the club who has made the most starting appearances this season.
  • A player with forty or more first-team starting appearances in their career.
  • A player on loan from a Premier League club or any EFL Category One Academy club.

Any goalkeeper can feature in the competition, with Reading having David Button, Coniah Boyce-Clarke and Joel Pereira eligible.

Bolton Wanderers are the reigning champions, having beaten Plymouth Argyle 4-0 in the final at Wembley.

Reading's involvement

Reading travel to Exeter City this evening, as well as hosting Swindon Town of League Two and Arsenal's Under-21, managed by former Royals Academy coach Mehmet Ali.

The last time any Reading team were involved was 2016/17, with the Under-21s reaching the quarter-final before losing 4-1 to Yeovil Town.

Barnet knocked Reading out in the quarter-final way back in December 2001, winning 4-1 at Underhill.

Darius Henderson scored, and was sent off, as the Bees dumped Alan Pardew's men out. However, they had the last laugh as the Royals were promoted back to the second tier at the end of the season.

Reading's best finish was reaching the regionalised semi-final back in 1999, losing 4-0 to Bristol City at Ashton Gate.