Cambridge United boss Neil Harris pays 'big thank you' to Preston North End man
PNE signed Walton from Luton Town in the summer
Cambridge United boss Neil Harris paid a special thanks to emergency loanee Jack Walton, on Thursday night.
The Preston North End goalkeeper made the seven-day switch to the League Two club this week. Walton started the 0-0 draw at league leaders, Bromley, making one save. It remains to be seen whether he is involved in Tuesday’s home game versus Grimsby Town.
Cambridge, who sit third in the third tier, had first choice goalie Jake Eastwood suspended and moved quickly to bring Walton in. Harris, pre-match, hailed the PNE man’s appetite to link up with his squad and he wasn’t let down on the night.
"A big thank you to Jack Walton," said Harris post-match. "Not just for the save he made, to get us a clean sheet, but just his mentality and character to want to come and play tonight. It is not easy to step in like that.
“Really chuffed for (him). He showed some real strong belief and absolutely huge ball-, to come into a game, live on Sky, first versus third, away from home. To come and do that and play like that, what a great lad. I can’t praise him highly enough.”
Heckingbottom on Walton’s loan
Speaking on Thursday afternoon, the PNE boss said: "Great... the big thing for me is he saw it as a big opportunity to go and showcase himself against the top of the league. I think that's a positive thing and a good move from him.
"Players want to play and unfortunately as a manager, you're never keeping everyone happy... that’s it. This is a way where he can go and get in people's minds, get in their eyes and show what he can do."