Carlisle United can confirm that striker Ethan Walker has today been recalled from his loan spell by parent club Preston North End.
Walker, 18, joined the Blues on a season-long loan agreement in September but a shoulder injury picked up in the Sunderland Papa John’s Trophy group game saw him return to Deepdale for treatment following just five appearances for United.
An operation to repair the injury led to him being sidelined for three months, before a return to training just before Christmas.
Manager Chris Beech said: “Ethan’s a Preston lad and he was able to access Carlisle easily, which was good for him and us.
“Everyone knows what we think of him. He’s a good, young player, which is why we brought him to the club.
“With the fact that he’s trained with Preston, and with them needing players for their own reasons, this was always going to be a possibility. It can happen within any loan, should the parent club make that decision.
"Preston have been fantastic with us and it goes without saying that we wish him all the best.”