It doesn’t sound like, if van Nistelrooy is in charge, that City will be heading into the transfer market for a new first-choice goalkeeper should Mads Hermansen be sold

Jakub Stolarczyk has already proven he’s Premier League level, Ruud van Nistelrooy believes, suggesting the Pole could be the club’s first-choice goalkeeper next term.

Starting with this weekend’s game against Southampton, Stolarczyk will finish the season between the sticks for City after Mads Hermansen underwent groin surgery.

It might have seemed like a chance for Stolarczyk to stake a claim for next season’s number one shirt with Hermansen, one of the club’s most valuable players, expected to be the subject of transfer interest and potentially sold to help boost finances.

But as far as van Nistelrooy is concerned, Stolarczyk has already passed the tes

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The 24-year-old played seven matches while Hermansen was out with a groin injury in December and January and did a commendable job.

In particular, he excelled in the 2-1 win at Tottenham, playing a vital role in City earning three points in what was his best display for the club yet.

It also turned out to be the last of his run in goal, with Hermansen returning for the next fixture.

However, this run of four appearances could be the start of a prolonged spell in goal for Stolarczyk, and it would mean could invest into other areas of the squad if they didn’t need to spend millions on a first-choice goalkeeper this summer.

Asked if Stolarczyk has a chance to show he can be a number one in the future, van Nistelrooy said at his press conference on Thursday: “He proved in the games he played that he’s developed himself into a Premier League keeper.

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“It’s a great opportunity for him, and for another homegrown player, to play four games and add that to the experience he already had. It’s a good situation.”

Stolarczyk starting next season would fit with van Nistelrooy’s mantra of wanting to build a squad with a foundation of homegrown players.

While the manager has said he’s “shaping the future” now with his team selection, there have been decisions that have not fit with that policy, particularly with starting loanee Facundo Buonanotte at Wolves last weekend.

However, Stolarczyk could be one of three academy graduates in the line-up against Southampton at the weekend, along with Luke Thomas and Kasey McAteer, while both Jeremy Monga and Jake Evans are expected to be in the squad amid injuries out wide to the likes of Buonanotte, Stephy Mavididi and Bobby De Cordova-Reid.

“The three appearances of Jeremy Monga are really valuable, that he’s had so far,” van Nistelrooy added. Jake Evans, with the injured wingers, will be part of the squad again.

“It’s important to use these minutes for them and others to develop and show themselves, taking it into next season.”