Trafford will be England keeper 'sooner or later'

Manchester City's James Trafford will become England's number one goalkeeper "sooner or later", says boss Pep Guardiola.

Trafford, 23, started the season as first choice after rejoining from Burnley in the summer and played the opening three Premier League games, but has been a substitute since the deadline day arrival of Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris St-Germain.

Having featured in the Carabao Cup third-round victory at Huddersfield, he is expected to return for Wednesday's trip to Swansea in the same competition (19:45 GMT).

"The keeper is a special situation because the keeper plays, normally one, and the second one doesn't," said Guardiola. "All I can say is we are delighted with his behaviour in training.

"One of the reasons why we want to go through in this competition is because they all have to be ready in case we need in the Premier League and the Champions League."

Everton's Jordan Pickford has won 80 caps and is England's undisputed number one, currently on a record run of nine consecutive clean sheets, although there is a difference of opinion as to whether he or Trafford is the most expensive British goalkeeper.

City sources said Trafford's move in July was worth £27m plus add-ons, but Burnley sources put the figure at £31m plus add-ons and a sell-on clause.

The latter figure would break the previous record of £30m which Everton paid Sunderland for Pickford in 2017.

Guardiola said he has spoken with Trafford and "other players" when asked if there were concerns about game time in a World Cup year.

Trafford is yet to win a senior England cap but was called up for the last four squads after helping the Under-21s win the 2023 European Championship without conceding a goal.

Guardiola added: "We have an incredible keeper. For England, sooner or later, he will be the one.

"I am pretty sure Gigi learns from James and James learns from Gigi. The goalkeepers are always connected."

Erling Haaland was limping heavily during Sunday's defeat at Aston Villa after colliding with a post when he had a goal disallowed for offside.

Guardiola said the Swansea trip is an opportunity to rest the Norway striker, with Omar Marmoush and Rayan Cherki in contention to start.

He added: "I haven't seen Erling today but it was a knock, and day by day it is better. We train this afterroon, we will find out how he feels and decide if he can play."

Midfielder Rodri is training and is "getting better" after sustaining a hamstring injury before the international break, but remains out.