Last updated at 12:08, Tuesday, 25 September 2012

New boy Kallum Higginbotham today admitted he’s desperate to replace Joe Garner in the Carlisle United side – and have a crack at Spurs.

Kallum Higginbotham

The loan signing is in the frame for his first Carlisle start in the biggest possible game – tomorrow’s Capital One Cup clash with the Premier League side.

With Garner cup-tied, it could hand the Huddersfield man the perfect chance to impress in the high-profile clash with Andre Villas-Boas’ team, where ticket sales are today close to 11,000.

And the 23-year-old said the prospect of facing Tottenham is mouthwatering.

“If Brunton Park is packed it will be a special occasion and with Joe unable to play there’s a chance that I can start the game,” Higginbotham said.

“Playing in the big games, with the fans making all the noise, is what all footballers dream about.

“Hopefully I can start and show the gaffer what I can do.

“We know near enough all the Spurs team will be internationals but we’re not really bothered who they put out. If we all perform to 100 per cent anything can happen.”

Higginbotham got a brief taste of first-team action for his new club when he made a late sub appearance in Saturday’s win at Coventry.

Manager Greg Abbott could pair the pacy forward with his former Huddersfield team-mate Danny Cadamarteri tomorrow night.

“I played with Cads last year and I know everyone has been raving about him this season,” Higginbotham said.

“He has got loads of energy and is different class on his day. Hopefully we can click on that pitch together.”

Tickets are continuing to sell quickly for the visit of Spurs, who are likely to bring a star-studded squad to Cumbria including France keeper Hugo Lloris and other internationals such as Jermain Defoe, Aaron Lennon, Gareth Bale, Clint Dempsey, Jan Vertonghen and Gylfi Sigurdsson.

The Cumbrians look set for their biggest crowd since the 16,668 that watched the League One victory over Leeds in 2007.

Higginbotham, meanwhile, is eager to repay Abbott’s faith after the United boss handed the ex-Falkirk man three months to impress for the Blues.

“I spoke to the gaffer a few weeks ago and I told him I would love to come,” he said. “It was just a case of stuff getting sorted out above my head.

“I’m really glad to be here and hopefully getting some games. I’m already impressed with the quality in the squad and the pitch is fantastic. We should be pushing up at the top end of the table come the end of the season.

“At Huddersfield I’ve been training five days a week and it coming to nothing at the end of the week. It’s good to know that somebody wants me and I’m in their plans. Hopefully I can get the confidence back that I had last season.”

Manager Abbott has extended the trial of former Everton forward Femi Orenuga for another week.

• Former Carlisle boss John Ward has been sacked by Colchester after the Us’ winless start to the League One season. Assistant Joe Dunne has been placed in caretaker charge at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

First published at 11:27, Tuesday, 25 September 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk