Travis Binnion's team, who already gain experience against senior opposition in the EFL Trophy, now have added opportunity to test themselves against National League clubs, with the action getting under way next month.
The fixtures are to be played at the National League stadia, with those clubs keeping all the gate receipts, providing valuable support for this level of the game.
There are 32 teams competing in the midweek tournament, split equally between Premier League 2 and National League sides.
Four groups of eight will lead to the top two clubs progressing into the knockout stages, which begin with the quarter-finals on 5/6 February 2025.