Peterborough United could play EFL Trophy games rather than friendlies this summer

Posh manager Darren Ferguson with the Johnstone's Paint Trophy at Wembley.

The Trophy and the Carabao Cup are under threat from a delayed start to the 2020-21 EFL season as clubs fear they won’t have time to compete in them as well as 46 League matches.

But Posh director of football Barry Fry insists clubs in League One and Two can’t afford to ditch either competition, hence the radical proposed solution to the Leasing.com Trophy.

“The prize money in the Leasing.com Trophy is pretty good,” Fry said.

“You get money every time you win a game and if you are lucky enough to win the competition it can be worth three quarters of a million pounds.

“Lower league clubs can’t afford to give that sort of money up now and I expect us to honour Leasing.com’s three-year deal.

“One solution that’s been proposed is to play the early stages before the Football League season starts and I think that is a great idea.

“The games would be more competitive than friendlies and that’s what players will need after such a long time out of action.

“If the draw is regionalised again then the crowds will be bigger than for a friendly as well and any extra income will be very welcome this summer.

“I expect clubs to go for this idea if they get the chance.

“It’s different for the League Cup as Premier League and Championship clubs are involved in that one and they could be looking to cut back on their matches next season, but the lower league clubs won’t want to lose that competition eithers as it can be a money spinner.”

The Leasing.com Trophy involves three group matches before a series of knockout rounds and a Wembley final. Posh won competition when known as the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy in 2013-14.

In two of the last three seasons Posh have been in the same group as local rivals Cambridge United and Northampton Town.

The League Cup traditionally stars in August, but a delayed start by a month could mean several top clubs, mainly those who are still competing in Europe this season, will be able to give the competition a miss next season.