WEST Ham United has always been known as The Academy; a celebrated production line of talented young footballers who learn their trade the right way. It is probably the most revered and respected football academy in the land.

Tonight (Tuesday), Wycombe Wanderers will get a close-up look at the Hammers' crop of 2016 talented when the Premiership side's under-21s visit Adams Park for the EFL Trophy, also known as the Checkatrade Trophy.

The Chairboys won their opening Southern Group D game 3-0 against Northampton Town in August, while West Ham's youngsters went down 4-2 at Coventry City.

Wycombe boss, Gareth Ainsworth, knows his team are in for a tight tussle this evening.

"West Ham could probably field their first team and still be within the rules,"he admitted. "It is going to be a real tough game for us."

Ainsworth revealed that he likes the format of the competition with ten Premiership team's under-23 teams and a handful of Championship outfits taking on League 1 and League 2 sides in a revamped format of the old Johnstone's Paints Trophy competition, which was won by Barnsley earlier this year.

Chelsea, who won last season's UEFA Youth League and FA Youth Cup, are in the competition along with Premier League champions Leicester, Everton, Sunderland and Southampton.

West Brom, Stoke, Middlesbrough and Swansea are the other top-flight teams involved, while Championship outfits Brighton, Norwich, Blackburn, Wolves, Derby and Reading will take part.

Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool are among those who declined the opportunity to play.

The Wycombe boss is a fan of the competition. He said: "I like the fact that these under-23 Premier League players are getting the experience in a lower league competition.

"I think if we can keep this going, in five years' time we will see the benefit in the game nationally.

"The Premier League has also added to the prize money, so this tournament is big for us.

"If we can win these games it helps the club financially, and if we win on Tuesday we will be through to the knockout stages, which will be brilliant."

Prize money for this season's EFL Trophy stands at £1.95 million - an increase of more than 300 per cent from 2015/16 - making this season’s rejuvenated competition the most lucrative for participating EFL clubs since its inception in the 1983/84 season. 

Clubs will pick up £10,000 per win during the group stages and £5,000 for a draw. This sum increases during the knockout stages, with £100,000 up for grabs for the winner.

In addition, the invited Premiership clubs will donate all or some of their share of gate receipts to a fund that will be shared equally by clubs from League One and League Two. 

With a league trip to Yeovil on Saturday, Ainsworth will be keeping a close eye on resources, and after coming for the last EFL Trophy game against Northampton, he hasn't ruled out an appearance in the number 43 shirt. 

"I will be able to give some players who have not played much some game time, which is good," he said. "I won't be risking any injuries. There will be some rested, and we will see where we go with that." 

Speaking on Saturday after the 1-0 win over Exeter, the Wycombe boss added: "I have got a big game tomorrow morning with my Sunday league side, so we will see how that goes first and how stiff I am on Monday or Tuesday.

"I won't risk injury. I won't lie and say I didn't enjoy coming on at Northampton - I loved every second of that, but it will only be as a last resort so no-one else gets injured.

"I refuse to go back to where we were at the start of the season with so many key players injured. I think it told with the results.

"Now we have the squad back which is good enough, we can make an assault on League 2.

"There will be no risks against West Ham, but I want to win the game as well."

Kick-off tonight is 7.45pm. Wycombe's final EFL Trophy group game against Coventry City takes place on Tuesday, November 8th at Adams Park (7.45pm kick-off).