Accrington Stanley have brought in Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford on a season-long loan.

Trafford was named on the bench for Pep Guardiola's side on six occasions during the 2020/21 campaign, including the Champions League semi-final second leg against Paris Saint Germain.  

Manager John Coleman says it will be a straight fight between Trafford and homegrown Toby Savin for the No.1 spot after his breakthrough year last season.

"James is highly regarded at Manchester City, I have watched him a few times and he ticks the boxes for us. He is keen to develop here,” Coleman said.

"Man City hope he will break through to the first team and he needs to use us as a springboard.

"It does mean we have a group of young goalkeepers at the club but if he is good enough, he is old enough in my view.

"Toby Savin had a breakthrough season last year and it will be a straight fight between Toby and James for a first team place."

Trafford joined City from Carlisle United as an Under-12 and progressed through the ranks at the Etihad Stadium, before signing his first professional contract in July 2020.

He has represented the club in the Papa John's Trophy, keeping clean sheets in victories over both Mansfield Town and Scunthorpe United.

The Cockermouth-born goalkeeper is also an England Under-18 international and played 11 times for City’s Under-23s side en route to them winning the Premier League 2 title.

Of the move, he said: “Me and the goalkeeping staff at City have always felt this was the right time to come out on loan after my second year as a scholar so I am really excited.

"I used to play against Accrington at Carlisle and so I have always looked out for them in the league.

“I have trained with Toby and Liam (Isherwood) and it's a group that has lots of energy, they are two really good lads and it’s competitive in training."