Checkatade Trophy Has a Future, Says EFL Chief

EDL Chief Executive Shaun Harvey has defended the controversial Checkatrade Trophy, saying the new format was ''certainly worth doing''.

The introduction of Category One Academy sides into the competition and increased team selection regulations have led to wide criticism of the updated format, with several invited Premier League electing not to compete.

Harvey said: "There is no doubt this competition would benefit from the more senior, higher-profile clubs playing in it next year. They will make their own choice.

"The support we have had from the Category One clubs that did compete will make it a lot easier for those clubs to join next season when they can see, very clearly, the benefits that come from competing."

Bradford City's decision to substitute goalkeeper Colin Doyle after just three minutes of a Checkatrade Trophy fixture led to the competition being labelled a farce in some quarters.

However, Sunday's final between Coventry City and Oxford United is expected to attract 70,000 fans to Wembley