Last updated at 12:21, Thursday, 23 August 2012

Towering new boy Jake Jervis today declared he can be the man to spark Carlisle United’s season into life, insisting: I’m here for goals.

Jake Jervis

The 6ft 3in Birmingham striker is set to start for the Blues against Portsmouth this weekend after sealing a loan move from the Championship club.

The 20-year-old travelled to Carlisle yesterday to complete his month-long switch and says he is ready to be United’s spearhead in the absence of the injured Lee Miller.

“I’ve been told the team are creating a lot of chances and they need someone to score,” Jervis said. “Hopefully I can be the guy to do that.

“I’ve got a bit of pace to get behind defenders, I like to get on the ball and play and I like to get into positions to score goals.”

Jervis, who will wear number 23 for United, was only told after training with Birmingham on Tuesday that he was set for a move to Cumbria and says he jumped at the chance of first-team football.

It is the sixth loan move of his career and the Wolverhampton-born player says his experience of playing for Hereford, Notts County, Swindon and Preston in recent seasons will stand him in good stead.

“Loans give you that confidence that you can do it and get you used to playing in games that mean something,” he said. “I’ve done it a few times now and the first time I went out at 17, I was really young and nervous. Now I’m just excited. When Carlisle spoke to the gaffer [Lee Clark] in Birmingham it was a no-brainer really.”

Jervis has been on the Championship club’s books since leaving Shrewsbury at 15, and has made two sub appearances. But his loan outings have taken his career appearances to 47 with nine goals to his name, including seven last season during his spells with Swindon and Preston.

He will be eligible to play for the Blues in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy but has been denied permission to feature in next Tuesday’s Capital One Cup tie against Ipswich. But his focus now is on a likely debut against Pompey on Saturday.

“I’m looking forward to it,” he said. “Portsmouth have obviously got their troubles but they’ve signed a few players, so it will be an interesting game.”

Young United midfielder Josh Todd has joined Workington Reds on a month's loan and came off the bench in their 1-0 defeat to Chester last night.

First published at 11:27, Thursday, 23 August 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk