EFL club announce week-long emergency loan deal ahead of title decider

Ed Griffiths
Wed, 15 Apr 2026 18:50:30 +0000

Cambridge United has secured the services of goalkeeper Jack Walton on a week-long emergency loan arrangement from Championship outfit Preston North End.

The 27-year-old shot-stopper arrives at Abbey Stadium ahead of a pivotal League Two encounter at promotion rivals Bromley on Thursday evening.

Neil Harris's side currently occupy third position in the table and have the opportunity to reduce the gap to league leaders Bromley to just three points with victory at Hayes Lane.

The temporary deal was necessitated after Cambridge's regular number one, Jake Eastwood, received his marching orders during Saturday's comprehensive 4-0 triumph over Notts County.

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The 29-year-old Eastwood was dismissed for handling the ball outside his penalty area during the weekend victory at Abbey Stadium.

Ben Hughes came off the substitutes' bench to replace him and delivered what Harris described as an outstanding performance on his full league debut.

However, the Cambridge manager felt that asking the young goalkeeper to start such a critical fixture would represent too significant a risk.

Harris explained to the BBC: "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."

The club therefore explored options to bring in a more experienced goalkeeper.

Harris expressed his appreciation to Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom for sanctioning the temporary move.

The Cambridge boss said: "Truly grateful to Paul Heckingbottom and the guys there to loan a first-time goalkeeper to us."

The U's manager spoke highly of his new arrival's credentials, noting that Walton brings considerable experience from his time north of the border.

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Harris said: "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."

"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."

Walton joined Preston during the summer from Luton Town and has featured five times for the Championship club this campaign, including three league appearances and two Carabao Cup outings.

The goalkeeper, who started his career at Barnsley and enjoyed loan stints at Stalybridge Celtic and Dundee United, could make his Cambridge debut at Hayes Lane on Thursday.

Should Bromley secure victory, Andy Woodman's side will clinch promotion to League One for the first time in their history.

Cambridge, seeking an immediate return to the third tier following last season's relegation, could also utilise Walton for home matches against Grimsby on April 21 and Barrow four days later.