LOAN signing Jordan Cook is in line to make his Carlisle debut as the Cumbrians take on Walsall at Brunton Park this afternoon.

Sunderland striker Cook joined Greg Abbott’s side on a month-long deal this week and went straight into the squad for today’s game, although he is likely to have to settle for a place on the bench.

Abbott said: “The good thing with Jordan is he can play left or right within the system we use at the moment and we could even use him down the middle.

“He is very versatile, with good pace, and has a great work ethic.

“He is one we think could make an impact with the first team.

“I think this will give him an even bigger appetite because he will be involved in competitive first-team football.”

Carlisle dropped one place to seventh in League One last weekend after their game at MK Dons fell victim to the weather.

However, Abbott insists the disruption should not knock his side out of its stride as they look to extend their six-game unbeaten run.

He added: “I am not sure last weekend’s game at MK Dons being called off has affected the preparation of the squad for this fixture, but I suppose we will not find that out until this afternoon.

“It is not an ideal situation and is something we would have liked to avoid, but we just have to deal with it.

“The Premier League and Championship have international breaks several times during the season and seem to cope well.

“I don’t think missing out on a game last weekend will have any effect on our sharpness. It is all hypothetical talk.

“Training has been excellent this week and the lads are just desperate to get out there and keep up the good run of form we are on.”

Fifth-bottom Walsall arrive at Brunton Park having failed to win in their last 12 games in all competitions on their travels, while Carlisle are unbeaten in eight at home.

Abbott said: “We do say it a lot, but there are no easy games in this league and we are expecting a tough test from Walsall this weekend.

“They came from a goal behind to beat Sheffield Wednesday recently and gained a very good point at Brentford last weekend, so we know we cannot underestimate them.

“We have had them watched a few times and they work hard, are very difficult to beat and, as you would expect, are fighting for their lives just above the relegation zone.

“They have probably drawn more than they would like of late but they have not lost many either.”

Abbott has no new injury problems ahead of today’s game, but defender Stephen O’Halloran (knee) and strikers Rory Loy (broken leg) and Craig Curran (knee) are still out of action.

l CARLISLE’S trip to MK Dons has been rearranged for Tuesday, March 27, with kick-off at 7.45pm.

JAMES HUNTER