Why Sunderland could be asked to play a competitive game in just 19 days' time
and live on Freeview channel 276
The third tier season kicks-off on September 12, with clubs set to discover their fixtures later this month.
But according to Blackpool manager Neil Critchley, League One and League Two clubs could actually begin their season on August 29.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThe first round of the Carabao Cup competition is set to take place on the weekend of September 5 – but, should a League One club draw a Championship side in the first round, then the tie could be played on August 29.
That’s because the weekend of September 5 is an international weekend, a weekend which second tier clubs usually have free.
This has left League One clubs preparing to face the ‘unexpected’, as the Blackpool manager explained.
Critchley told the Blackpool Gazette: “We were due to play a game this month on August 29 but if you draw a Championship club in the Carabao Cup then they will play it on that date because it’s before the international break
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad“You just have to be ready to adapt all the time, but we’ve got our plans in place and we’ve got our games pencilled in.
“But we have to be ready for the unexpected and try to prepare as best as we can.”
No date has yet been set for the first round draw of the Carabao Cup.