EFL Trophy finals to be played a day apart

The EFL has confirmed that last season’s postponed Papa John’s Trophy final between Salford City and Portsmouth will take place the day before the current season’s final.

Portsmouth and Salford City will finally play last season’s EFL Trophy final, a year after it was originally scheduled, as COVID-19 outbreaks put last March’s final on hold.

Tranmere, Sunderland, Oxford and Lincoln are the teams in this season’s semi-finals.

Both finals will be played over the weekend of March 13-14, at Wembley Stadium.

Last season’s final between Portsmouth and Salford City will be played on Saturday, March 13 it will then be followed by the 2021 final on Sunday, March 14.

Portsmouth manager Kenny Jackett stressed last month that he wanted to carry on with the occasion as ‘it’s a Wembley game’.

“Our concentration, obviously, is the league,” the Pompey boss said.

“But it’s a Wembley game and, yes, we would want to play it, even though there’s a long way to go before we get crowds back into stadiums.”

Jackett also expressed his sadness that “the fantastic Pompey supporters” will not be at Wembley to support the team on the day.

“For players, management, staff and supporters, going to Wembley Stadium is always a special occasion and we’re pleased to now have a date for the 2020 final.

“It obviously won’t be the same without the fantastic Pompey supporters there to cheer us on, but we’ll do everything we can to win the game for them.”