The prospect of James Trafford joining Newcastle from Manchester City in the summer heightened on Monday when Eddie Howe spoke admiringly of the goalkeeper and Pep Guardiola left open the prospect of a move.

Trafford chose City ahead of Newcastle when he left Burnley in July, expecting to become the first choice at the Etihad Stadium. Since the deadline-day arrival of Gianluigi Donnarumma, however, he has played in only four domestic cup ties and one Champions League match.

The 23-year-old Trafford will start the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg at Newcastle on Tuesday and Howe gave the impression that he had not closed the door on the idea of Trafford relocating to Tyneside. The Newcastle manager, who pursued Trafford for two years, is often circumspect when asked about players not in his squad but 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 suggested that Trafford could leave. “We want him and what’s going to happen at the end of the season we will see,” he said. “I would like him to stay for many years here because he has the attributes...