Colchester United have been handed a mouthwatering Worthington Cup draw against former Premiership Londoners Crystal Palace.

The U's will entertain the troubled Eagles on Tuesday, August 10 - three days after their first League game - before travelling to Selhurst Park two weeks later.

Ipswich Town clash with Brentford who won promotion to Division Two last month. Town are away in the first leg.

The U's and Town were just one ball apart in this morning's draw.

Delighted Layer Road commercial manager Brian Wheeler beamed: "It's a fantastic draw for the club.

"They've been in trouble recently but they've got a huge reputation and have always been a good cup side.

"We haven't had the league fixtures yet but this gives us a home tie in the first week - and a good crowd.

"Hopefully we'll still be in contention for the away leg."

Palace, who recently sold defender Sagi Burton to the U's, have been in financial dire straits in the past year.

Manager Steve Coppell has been forced to sell players, there was a threat of a strike over players' pay last season and now takeover talk is all the rage in south London.

The former FA Cup runners-up and League Cup semi-finalists were only relegated from the Premiership 13 months ago. Last season they finished 14th in Division One.

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