Burnley's Vincent Kompany declares faith in James Trafford

The England Under-21 No1 has had a challenging first season in the Premier League with the Clarets.

But Kompany feels his decision to stick with 21-year-old Trafford, in the face of criticism from some fans, will pay off in the long run.

While the Burnley boss said he preferred to "focus on the team" than have "individual conversations," he went on to add: "It’s a decision. At the end of the day, the biggest thing is that eventually I will definitely be right. I have no doubt about this."

Speaking to the Burnley Express, Kompany added that it was "obvious" that Trafford would have a big future at the top level and had the potential to play for England one day.

Trafford has been an ever-present so far in his debut Premier League season (Image: PA)

“To me it’s that obvious, but in the end all this talk of the future, I don’t really think about it that much,” he added, ahead of Sunday's 2-2 draw at West Ham United.

“I know that, but in the end the main thing for me is that I could let everyone go with a machine gun through the squad in that sense, because then it’s the mistake from this, there’s the guy who missed the ball in front of the goal…

“But at this moment in time, the only thing they need to hear from me is that I trust and believe in them more than anyone in the outside world - and I do that, every single day.”

Burnley sit second bottom of the Premier League and ten points from safety with ten games remaining. Former Carlisle United academy keeper Trafford, a farmer's son from Greysouthen, has started every game in his debut top-flight season after his move from Manchester City last summer.

The young keeper could be back in international action later this month when England's Under-21s take on Azerbaijan and Luxembourg in European Under-21 Championship qualifiers. The squad will be announced later this week.

Trafford has been the side's regular No1 for some time - including his starring role in last year's successful Euros campaign