Off to Harrogate tonight to see Forest's first venture into the EFL Trophy since George Boyd scored the winner for Peterborough in front of 3,000 fans at the City Ground in September 2007 (Luke Chambers scored two for Forest and one for Peterborough in the 3-2 defeat).
U21s/B team have a busy programme this season - as well as the revamped PL2 (they lost 1-0 at Brighton on Friday), and the EFL Trophy, they're also in the U21 Premier League International Cup with home matches against Jong PSV (at Alfreton on Monday), Nice and Werder Bremen.
EFL Trophy rules, AIUI, are
Academy teams must start at least six players aged 21 or under as at 30/6/23.
Those teams can only include two players over the age of 21 who have made 40 or more senior appearances prior to 2023/24, so some of the excess squad members could feature. (especially as B team captain McDonnell is on international duty, alongside possibly one or two others)