The Football League has revealed it will trial the use of vanishing spray, as used in this summer’s football feast in Brazil, in the 2014-15 Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.
The vanishing spray was used to mark the nearest point a player could stand to defend an opposition free-kick.
Football League chief executive, Shaun Harvey, said: “The introduction of vanishing spray into the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy will give us the opportunity to observe its use in domestic football so that we can better understand its effect on the flow of the game.
“It will also give us the ability to gauge the opinions of players, managers, referees and fans.”
Meanwhile, the draw for round one of this season’s competition will take place on Saturday, August 16.
As in previous seasons, the first round will see clubs divided into four regional groupings – with 16 clubs being awarded byes into round two.
Peterborough United, who lifted the trophy for the first time at Wembley in March, will be in first round action in the south east section.
The side Posh beat 3-1 in the final, Chesterfield, will also compete in the first round in the north east section.
Of the three clubs relegated from the Championship last season, Doncaster Rovers – the first ever winners of the Football League Trophy under the sponsorship of Johnstone’s Paint in 2007 – received a bye but Yeovil Town and Barnsley will both be in the first round draw.
This season’s final will take place at Wembley on March 22.
Ben Wilde, Johnstone’s trade brand and sponsorship manager, said: “The start of the football season is always an exciting time of the year and the announcement of the regional groups for the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy brings that another step nearer.
“Last season’s competition was a huge success, culminating in a thrilling final in front of more than 35,000 fans.
“This season’s competition promises to be just as exciting with plenty of clubs in the hunt for silverware.”
Johnstone’s Paint is busily preparing for its ninth season of sponsorship of the Football League Trophy.