JAMES Trafford is growing up fast at Bolton Wanderers.

The Manchester City keeper has spent nine months under the tutelage of Ian Evatt at the University of Bolton Stadium, becoming a first-choice goalkeeper in League One and earning his first two caps for England Under-21s.

Trafford arrived in January having struggled for regular football at his previous loan club Accrington Stanley – his relative lack of experience leading to a cautious welcome from many Whites supporters at the time.

But his pedigree and performances quickly won over the doubters and after signing a new long-term contract at the Etihad in the summer Evatt was able to bring him back to Bolton on loan for this season, where he has continued to progress.

“I think he has grown up a little bit and matured, there is no doubt about that,” said the Wanderers boss. “He has a really strong mindset and mentality, that is one of his best assets.

“Being a goalkeeper and especially a young goalkeeper, there are going to be times where you make mistakes.

“I think the time he spent at Accrington, where he had made a couple of mistakes and found himself out of the team was hugely valuable to him. He has learned from that, he has progressed.

“Last season he was great for us, and he has come back again this season and been really good. But he knows and I know how ambitious he is.

“He has got a long, long way to go, but as I said, his mindset, mentality and attitude is first class.”

Along with Trafford, Wanderers were able to bring in another burgeoning talent from the Premier League in Conor Bradley, the Liverpool and Northern Ireland wing-back.

Evatt believes the two top-flight teens share a common trait, which is why he feels they are destined for a long career in the game.

“They are two young players who have huge futures,” he said. “Huge things are expected of them in the future.

“They carry that little bit of, not arrogance, but it is borderline arrogance. It is a fine line between confidence and arrogance, and I think those two in particular have got it pretty nailed.

“They are not arrogant, they are really humble young lads. They want to work hard and improve their game. But they have that swagger and confidence around them where they believe in themselves, and they are both producing excellent performances.”

Trafford has talked about his ambition to be Manchester City’s number one in the future and Bradley has already played for Liverpool in the Champions League, his progress being closely monitored by the Reds.

Evatt is confident they will both finish this season at Bolton better for the experience.

“They are still learning all the time and what we would like to think is that both players have improved and progressed under our banner, and I think that is the case,” he said.

“We are talking about two lads who have aspirations of playing at the very top of the game. Manchester City and Liverpool are two of the best clubs in the world, and you have to be elite to play at that level.

“If they don’t play at that level, I’m sure they will both have brilliant careers, Premier League careers, there is no denying that.

“They shouldn’t beat themselves up if they don’t achieve that goal. But I do believe both of them have a fantastic chance and opportunity to do it.”

Evatt was at Bramall Lane to watch Trafford play for England Under-21s against Germany on Tuesday night – and he believes the youngster should be proud of the company he is keeping on the international stage.

“It is brilliant for him to be playing at that level of football, a great learning curve,” he said. “He still has lots to do, lots to improve on, there’s no denying that. But I think he is a really solid goalkeeper and it shows you how much he is progressing by being in and around that group.

“If you look at that team on paper, it is immensely strong with hugely valuable players on that pitch. If he is in and around that, it means he is doing the right things with us so long may that continue.”