James Trafford will have a point to prove when he lines up for Manchester City in their semi-final cup clash with Newcastle on Tuesday.
The England stopper’s career at the Etihad has barely got off the ground since his £27million summer transfer from Burnley.
Despite being handed the number one shirt on his arrival, Trafford’s joy of returning to his boyhood club was short-lived when Pep Guardiola jumped at the opportunity of signing Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Just five weeks after the confirmation of Trafford’s move, Donnarumma signed his contract and instantly became first choice.
Trafford has since been limited to only four domestic cup ties and one Champions League match.
He will add to his appearances this evening, and our tipster is predicting him to have a busy evening in his Newcastle vs Manchester City best bets.
James Trafford In Audition Against Newcastle
Before Trafford left Burnley, Newcastle were vying with Man City as Eddie Howe also looked for a new number one.
Howe had been chasing Trafford for two years, but he has seemingly held the door ajar for a potential future move ahead of their contest.
He said: “James Trafford is a very good goalkeeper. I’m a big fan of his, and I wish him all the best in his career.”
Guardiola is sympathetic to Trafford’s situation and knows the 23-year-old needs to be playing regularly at this stage of his career.
The Spaniard revealed they will take a look at his situation in the summer, which is likely to mean another departure.
He added: “We want him and what’s going to happen at the end of the season, we will see. I would like him to stay for many years here because he has the attributes to play in a big club like us.”
Newcastle had a £27m offer accepted for him in the summer before Man City matched it with future incentives.
When he signed on the dotted line, Trafford said: “I always dreamed that one day I would be able to come back to Manchester City.
“This is the place I call home – it’s a truly special football club with fantastic people who make it such a unique place to work and play.”
Hindsight is a wonderful thing, and Trafford would surely have sat on the Man City bench, wondering what could have been should he have joined Newcastle instead.
The added pressure of a World Cup year will only exacerbate Trafford’s frustrations, but a strong performance at St James’ Park will only give Howe more food for thought in the summer.
Newcastle Team News vs Manchester City
There are numerous problems in the defence for Howe to contend with after Fabian Schär recently suffered ligament damage against Leeds, joining Dan Burn in the treatment room.
Tino Livramento also added to their defensive woes after picking up a hamstring injury in the FA Cup victory over Bournemouth.
Emil Krafth remains sidelined, with Howe recently providing an update on his situation.
He said: “He’s a big miss for us at the moment. He is trying to come back from a knee problem. He is not feeling absolutely at his best currently.
“I have got no definitive return day for him. We are taking it day by day and we will see him back quickly. He has always been such a reliable performer for us.”
Jacob Murphy and Anthony Elanga are also out injured.
