Preparations for Swindon Town Football Club's upcoming season are in full swing as the team's Papa John's Trophy group opponents have been announced. 

The Robins face a tough group containing familiar and local opponents, but a press release from the club says it is hoping for cup success in the 2022/23 competition. 

Despite being separated by a league after Bristol Rovers secured an unlikely automatic promotion spot from League Two with a dramatic last-day goal-difference comeback, Swindon will once again have the chance to face the local rivals. 

The other confirmed team in the group is Plymouth Argyle, providing a sense of deja-vu for the club which has been drawn against the southern League One side for the third time in the last four seasons of the competition. 

Town's record against The Gas last season was hit-and-miss with a 3-1 away victory against ten men in October 21, and a 1-all draw at home in January. 

The honours are even between Swindon and Plymouth with both teams winning 2 of their last 5 encounters with one draw in the mix as well. 

The last spot in the group will be completed by the academies of one of the following clubs - Arsenal, Aston Villa, Brighton and Hove Albion, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United. 

This draw is taking place on June 23, when the group for Swindon's Papa John's Trophy campaign will be finalised, along with the Red's Carabao Cup opponents.

In last year's competition group stage, Swindon took on Plymouth Argyle, Newport County and Arsenal U21s. They ended up topping the group with a 3-1 victory over Plymouth, a 1-0 win over Newport and a 2-1 triumph over the Premier League youth team. 

But after easily progressing from the group stage with an unbeaten run the cup march ended in the second round with a narrow 2-1 loss to fellow League Two outfit Colchester.

Read: Swindon Town reportedly make first signing of the season with Middlesborough keeper 

Details on who Swindon will have lining up for them in the competition are still unclear as there is a long way to go in this transfer window, but recent unconfirmed reports suggest a new signing any be among those in the team. 

According to Football Insider 21-year-old Middlesborough keeper Sol Brynn has joined the club on loan this season and with Boro looking for him to gain first-team experience it seems he could be giving Jojo Wollacott and Lewis Ward some competition.