James Trafford opens up on new Man City experience and Gianluigi Donnarumma relationship

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Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford should return to the starting line-up on Saturday for the FA Cup semi-final vs Southampton

Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford admitted it has been a new experience for him after settling for a back-up role this season. Trafford rejoined the Blues from Burnley last summer with the expectation being he would eventually replace Ederson as the club's first-choice goalkeeper. However, before the end of the window, Gianluigi Donnarumma signed.

Since then, the Italy international has been the club's first choice in the Premier League and Champions League. Meanwhile, Trafford has been starting FA Cup and Carabao Cup matches. Despite this, the England international has made 14 appearances this season with his 15th expected on Saturday at Wembley against Southampton.

Speaking to BBC Sport, Trafford said: "It has obviously been very up and down throughout the season because I haven't played too much and obviously I had a decision to make in the summer. Everyone always thinks when you make decisions [for] the best possible outcome and obviously it hasn't been the best possible outcome, but I have just tried to either improve every day and just try and stay positive, try and stay happy.

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"Because throughout the year it has been such a big learning experience so the main thing I didn't want is for it to impact your general happiness and your general feeling. I have had to learn a lot throughout the year and I have just tried to work as hard as I can and try and improve and win the day."

Trafford admitted to TNT Sports that he thought it would have been harder to adapt to the role of 'cup goalkeeper'. "I thought it would be a lot harder, like stepping in, because I've never experienced it before," he added.

"I didn't know what to expect, coming in and then not having a game for two, three, one week, whatever it is. Until January it was quite hard because it was like, I think it was one game in December, I got two because I got the Champions League in November.

"But from the turn of the year, the games have been better."

The City man insisted the relationship between himself and Donnarumma is good. "Yeah, we have a great relationship, he's a great lad, he's friendly, he's lovely, and we both get along really well, we're good mates," Trafford concluded.

Should City win on Saturday, Trafford should start the FA Cup final on Saturday, May 16 against either Chelsea or Leeds United.