Leyton Orient have been drawn with Championship side Brighton & Hove Albion as well as Southend United and Stevenage in the group stage of this year’s English Football League Trophy.

Orient last faced Southend in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy in 2013 in the southern area final where they lost 3-2 on aggregate.

The O’s will face each team in their group once with the top two teams progressing to the 32-team knock out stage.

The Trophy has been relaunched and now includes 16 category one youth sides, meaning Brighton will be able to include their under-23 squad.

There are no draws in the group stage, as like the Scottish League Cup, if the score is level at the end of 90 minutes the match will go to penalties.

The winner of the shout out will pick up two points and the loser will be awarded one.

Orient will play their first game of the EFL Trophy will take place on the week commencing August 29.

Fixture dates are yet to be released, but if The O’s do travel to Amex Stadium, it will be a return for Dean Cox as this is where he started his professional career.