DARRYL Eales hopes the decision to rule Premier League B teams out of the Whole Game Solution will see more Oxford United fans attend their Checkatrade Trophy matches.

Michael Appleton’s side visit rivals Swindon Town next Tuesday in the competition, which many supporters have boycotted so far.

Fewer than 1,500 U’s fans watched their 4-2 win against Exeter City last month.

The decision to stay away has been prompted by a restructuring which allowed Category One academy sides to take part, with Chelsea included in United’s group.

Many feared it was the first step to top-flight B teams being included in a revamped league structure as part of discussions for the Whole Game Solution.

Eales believes the reaction of supporters has brought forward a decision, with the English Football League (EFL) last week publicly ruling it out.

And the U’s chairman believes, for some, the reason to avoid the Trophy games has now been removed.

He said: “It has probably accelerated the debate, but in my two years as a chairman, B teams have never been discussed at league meetings.

“If fans want to boycott the game because they don’t like the format with under 21 teams I respect that.

“But it would now be unsustainable for fans to say the reason I’m boycotting is because I think this is the thin end of the wedge and B teams are going to come into the league structure.

“We’ve got a big game next Tuesday and the fans can make a difference.”

He added: “I think the two got conflated as joined-up issues, but the Whole Game Solution is absolutely nothing to do with the entrance of under 21 teams in the Checkatrade Trophy.”

As he laid out in an interview with the Oxford Mail earlier this month, Eales remains unsure exactly what issue the EFL are attempting to solve with the Whole Game Solution.

League officials will visit all 72 clubs in the next five weeks to seek their views.

Eales intends to consult with supporters’ trust OxVox, before using the meeting to find out more.

He said: “My stance will be to ask them a few questions about what do they think the various agendas are.

“I think it’s only when it becomes a whole package that you can say what your view is.

“I could easily give you a view on a range of issues, but you vote on a package whether you think on balance it’s better than the status quo.

“For my money at the moment we’re quite a long way from knowing what that package is.”