MK Dons have been handed a first-round bye in the 2010/11 Johnstone's Paint Trophy, which gets underway at the end of next month.

Karl Robinson's men are among eight teams in the competition's southern section to automatically progress to the second round, along with eight in the northern section, meaning the 2008 winners will not kick-off their Trophy campaign until early-October.

Four teams from League 1 and four from League 2 will benefit from first round byes in the southern section of the draw - Bristol Rovers, Colchester United and Plymouth Argyle the other lucky sides in the Dons' division.

But holders Southampton will have to start their defence of the Trophy from the very earliest stage, having been included among the 16 teams to kick-off the competition in the week beginning 30th August.

The draw could hand an additional advantage to the Dons in their League 1 campaign, as it will provide a seven-day break ahead of the home game on 4th September against Hartlepool United, who were not among the teams to receive a bye in the northern section. 'Pools will therefore face a first-round fixture four days before their trip to stadiummk live on Sky Sports.

The draw for the competition's first round will take place on Sky Sports' Soccer AM programme on Saturday 14th August.

Southern Section Byes: Barnet, Bristol Rovers, Cheltenham Town, Colchester United, Hereford United, Milton Keynes Dons, Plymouth Argyle, Wycombe Wanderers.

Southern Section West: Bournemouth, Aldershot Town, Exeter City, Oxford United, Southampton, Swindon Town, Torquay United, Yeovil Town.

Southern Section East: Brentford, Brighton & Hove Albion, Charlton Athletic, Dagenham & Redbridge, Gillingham, Leyton Orient, Southend United, Stevenage.

Northern Section Byes: Bradford City, Burton Albion, Bury, Carlisle United, Crewe Alexandra, Huddersfield Town, Peterborough United, Stockport County.

Northern Section West: Accrington Stanley, Macclesfield Town, Morecambe, Oldham Athletic, Port Vale, Rochdale, Shrewsbury Town, Tranmere Rovers.

Northern Section East: Chesterfield, Hartlepool United, Lincoln City, Northampton Town, Notts County, Rotherham, Sheffield Wednesday, Walsall.