The future of the League Cup is under threat as a result of the new Champions League format confirmed this week as the changes will ensure that European football dominates the midweek calendar before Christmas from the 2024-25 season.
While the group stage will only increase from six to eight matches those fixtures will be played across 10 weeks each autumn, with both the Europa League and Conference League being given an exclusive week of games, meaning that England's European competitors may be unable to take part in the League Cup.
EFL executives are exploring a number of options to salvage their 62-year-old competition, which include permitting the big clubs to field development sides until the semi-final stage and demanding significant from the Premier League.