Pep Guardiola has hailed the progress being made at Manchester City by Cumbrian teenager James Trafford.

The goalkeeper, from Greysouthen near Cockermouth, is impressing as he comes through the ranks at the Premier League club.

Trafford, 18, was on the bench for City in last week's Carabao Cup semi-final victory against Manchester United.

The former Carlisle United academy kid is firmly established among City's top goalkeepers as he continues learning from the more senior figures of Ederson, Zack Steffen and Scott Carson.

Guardiola referred to Trafford's encouraging progress as he discussed the various goalkeeping options at City, where Cleator Moor veteran Carson - on loan from Derby - is third choice.

"Eddy has to play good because he knows Zack is there but Eddy is the No.1 in this position right now," Guardiola said in the Manchester Evening News.

"But it is important for Zack in his first year that he has played in Stamford Bridge and Old Trafford in incredibly tough games with just 14, 15 players, and he solved all the situations brilliantly. This is the most important thing.

"We have two top keepers and even the fourth one, [James] Trafford, is a guy who is growing really really well.

News and Star: James Trafford was a substitute for Manchester City at Manchester United last week (photo: PA)James Trafford was a substitute for Manchester City at Manchester United last week (photo: PA)

"And we have one player, one keeper that is so important for us and that is Scott Carson.

"He is like a captain behind the scenes, like Fernandinho. He is not noticed in the papers or on the field because he is the third keeper but in the locker room he is like another captain.

"He is so important and hopefully he can stay longer with us in the next years."

Carson, 35, is in his second season-long loan from Derby and is currently self-isolating after testing positive for Covid-19.

Farmer's son Trafford has been on City's books after joining from Carlisle at Under-12 level.

The England youth keeper turned professional earlier this year and has been a regular performer for their Under-23 side.

He has been on the bench for the first-team earlier this campaign in the Premier League and Champions League.