The 23-year-old returned to the Etihad last summer in a 30 million pound move from Burnley, having turned down Newcastle to rejoin his boyhood club. Trafford had hoped to stake his claim as City's long-term number one following the impending exit of Ederson and began the season as the starting goalkeeper in the first three Premier League matches.

However, Donnarumma's arrival reshuffled the pecking order. The Italian, a Champions League winner, has since played the majority of City's matches, leaving Trafford to feature mostly in domestic cup competitions and a single Champions League tie against Bayer Leverkusen.

"It wasn't what I expected coming into the season," Trafford told the BBC after keeping a clean sheet in City's FA Cup fourth-round win over Salford. "But it's the reality, and I have to give it my best shot. We train every day, and when the games come, you play as hard as you can. It's just another experience to add to my career."

Trafford's move back to City came on the back of an impressive campaign with Burnley, where he played 45 matches and conceded just 16 goals, helping the club secure promotion to the Premier League. Returning to Manchester, he aimed to cement himself as Pep Guardiola's first-choice goalkeeper - but circumstances shifted rapidly.

Despite the setback, Trafford remains focused on his development and taking things one day at a time. "I didn't expect the situation to happen, but it happened. You just get on with it," he said. "I'll keep working hard every day and try to improve. Whatever happens next season, happens. I just focus on the games I get and give it my all."

With limited game time this season, Trafford is also mindful of his ambitions with the England U21 squad and the potential impact on his international prospects. "I play as well as I can and train very hard. Whenever I play, I have to play my best," he added.

While his role has changed, Trafford remains determined to learn from the experience and continue growing, embracing the challenge of competing with one of the world's top goalkeepers.

Ivory Coast's Simon Adingra radiant in the afterglow of AFCON triumph