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  "path": "/sport/football/cambridge-united-emergency-loan-deal-jack-walton",
  "publishedAt": "2026-04-15T18:50:30.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Premier League side snubs EFL boss and accelerate discussions to appoint former Bundesliga manager",
    "LIV Golf holds emergency meeting in New York amid rumours of immediate end of rebel tour",
    "Real Madrid icon dies as statement sparks tributes for 'one of greatest legends in world'",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nCambridge United has secured the services of goalkeeper Jack Walton on a week-long emergency loan arrangement from Championship outfit Preston North End.\n\nThe 27-year-old shot-stopper arrives at Abbey Stadium ahead of a pivotal League Two encounter at promotion rivals Bromley on Thursday evening.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nNeil 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.\n\nThe 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.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe 29-year-old Eastwood was dismissed for handling the ball outside his penalty area during the weekend victory at Abbey Stadium.\n\nBen Hughes came off the substitutes' bench to replace him and delivered what Harris described as an outstanding performance on his full league debut.\n\nHowever, the Cambridge manager felt that asking the young goalkeeper to start such a critical fixture would represent too significant a risk.\n\nHarris 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.\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe club therefore explored options to bring in a more experienced goalkeeper.\n\nHarris expressed his appreciation to Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom for sanctioning the temporary move.\n\nThe Cambridge boss said: \"Truly grateful to Paul Heckingbottom and the guys there to loan a first-time goalkeeper to us.\"\n\nThe U's manager spoke highly of his new arrival's credentials, noting that Walton brings considerable experience from his time north of the border.\n\n### LATEST SPORT NEWS\n\n\n\n\n  * Premier League side snubs EFL boss and accelerate discussions to appoint former Bundesliga manager\n  * LIV Golf holds emergency meeting in New York amid rumours of immediate end of rebel tour\n  * Real Madrid icon dies as statement sparks tributes for 'one of greatest legends in world'\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nHarris 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.\"\n\n\"The lad was ever so excited about coming.\n\n\"Was desperate to come and play and has got the character and the mindset to do it, so it's a strong starting point.\"\n\nWalton 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.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe 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.\n\nShould Bromley secure victory, Andy Woodman's side will clinch promotion to League One for the first time in their history.\n\nCambridge, 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.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "EFL club announce week-long emergency loan deal ahead of title decider"
}