Birmingham City, Shrewsbury Town and Walsall discover Premier League opponents in EFL trophy

Fulham's Under-21's have been revealed as Birmingham City's third and final opponent in the group stage of the EFL Trophy.

Blues knew earlier this week that they would be playing Shrewsbury Town and Walsall in the group stage of the EFL. The EFL Trophy draw took place on Sky Sports News, and it is the Cottagers that were drawn out in Group A.

Drawing Fulham means a possibility of coming up against one of the shining lights in what what a dismal campaign for Birmingham. Fulham loaned Jay Stansfield to Birmingham for the whole of the 2023/24 season, and he left a mark on the supporters, as he won five awards at the end of season dinner awards.

Stansfield netted 12 goals in 43 games for Birmingham last season. He doesn't turn 22 until November, and so he qualifies for Fulham's under-21s team. Premier League teams are allowed three over-aged players as well, but the draw does make for the possibility of coming up against one of their former players.

Birmingham know all too well how good of a player Stansfield is, and in a realistic sense he shouldn't be playing under-21s football after proving himself in the Championship. During the January transfer window last season, Sunderland and a host of clubs were interested in signing him, but he remained for the entirety of the campaign.

Stansfield could remain at Craven Cottage, after Marco Silva revealed his apparent stance on the player back in May.

“He’s going to be back with us”, Silva said of Stansfield. “Everything we planned, apart from the collective goal of Birmingham which was not what we wanted, was a box [ticked].

“He played the season before in League One [with Exeter City], and to be able to give a step forward in the Championship and be an important piece in the attack-line and score important goals [was pleasing]. Jay achieved all the important things.

“Now is the moment for him to come back and be one of the players in our attacking line for next season.”

The group stage of the competition is due to begin in September, and the dates and kick-off times for all the group matches will be confirmed in due course. Fulham because of their Premier League status will be away for all of their matches and so Birmingham are guaranteed at least one home match at St Andrew's.