Cambridge United have completed the emergency loan signing of goalkeeper Jack Walton.
The stopper has signed for the League Two club on a seven-day emergency loan from Championship club Preston North End.
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It comes ahead of Cambridge’s trip to promotion rivals Bromley on Thursday night.
Neil Harris’ side are currently without first-choice keeper Jake Eastwood through suspension.
The 29-year-old was sent off for handling the ball outside the box during their 4-0 win over Notts County at Abbey Stadium on Saturday.
Eastwood was replaced by Ben Hughes off the bench at the weekend.
However, Harris has now bolstered his goalkeeping options with the arrival of Walton on an emergency loan from the Championship.
Cambridge sign Preston goalkeeper on emergency loan
“Truly grateful to Paul Heckingbottom and the guys there to loan a first-time goalkeeper to us,” Cambridge coach Harris told the BBC.
“Jake being sent off wasn’t ideal for anybody; he’s obviously disappointed with the scenario.
“In the heat of the moment, these things happen, we understand that – especially at this stage of the season when emotions are high, and you have to make marginal decisions on the spot.
“And we got it slightly wrong in that moment, the combination got it slightly wrong, and Jake rightly got sent off.
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“We miss him for a game – Ben Hughes, I thought, who came on, was outstanding on his full league debut.
“To ask him to go again in such a pivotal game would have been a real big ask for him and a real huge gamble.
“So we decided to go down the route of seeing what options were available to bring in more experienced goalkeepers.
“Jack comes with a high pedigree, a lot of football played – Not so much in the last few months, but some football played in the first half of the season, and a hell of a lot of football played in the last few years up in Scotland.
“We know the goalkeeper we’re signing, there’s some excellent references on him, and the lad was ever so excited about coming.
“Was desperate to come and play and has got the character and the mindset to do it, so it’s a strong starting point.”
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Loanee Walton has made five first-team appearances for Preston this season following his summer arrival from Luton Town.
Those outings include three in the Championship this term, with the others coming in the Carabao Cup.
Walton began his career at Barnsley and has previously had loan spells at Stalybridge Celtic and Scottish club Dundee United.
The 27-year-old could make his U’s debut away at Bromley on Thursday night.
League Two promotion race
Cambridge travel to Hayes Lane in a crucial meeting in the League Two promotion race.
Bromley will be promoted to League One for the first time in their history if they win.
Andy Woodman’s side are already guaranteed their highest-ever league finish in just their second Football League campaign.
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However, Cambridge can cut the gap to the league leaders to just three points with a victory of their own.
Their win over Notts County at the weekend saw Cambridge leapfrog their opponents into third place.
They are currently eyeing an immediate return to the third-tier following relegation last season.
Walton’s seven-day loan deal means he could also feature at home to Grimsby on Tuesday, April 21.
They then host Barrow four days later in their final home fixture of the season.
The U’s are scheduled to conclude their league campaign away at Crewe Alexandra on May 2.
