New Blues keeper Luke O'Reilly says he is hungry to impress for Carlisle United after an eventful young career has led him to Brunton Park.

The gloveman, in the squad to face Cambridge today (Abbey Stadium, 3pm) arrived at the Blues last week after the long-term injury to Joe Fryer.

O'Reilly signed a half-season deal as back-up to Adam Collin, after spells with Cardiff, Tottenham and even a stint training with England's keepers.

The 22-year-old says that, no matter his past experiences, establishing himself at United is all that matters.

"You can play for whoever on your CV, but if you don't play games, it doesn't mean a thing," O'Reilly said.

"I'm hungry to do well here and hopefully I'll make a good impression.

"I'm really excited. It's a good opportunity for me. It's the step I need to take to improve my career - to play games and improve myself."

O'Reilly joined the Blues at short notice as they sought a replacement for broken-leg victim Fryer.

He was on the bench at Mansfield last weekend and then against Morecambe in Tuesday's Checkatrade Trophy tie.

"I got a text last Thursday morning and that was that, really," he said.

"I drove up to meet the team on Friday for training and that was it.

"It was Watto, Dan Watson, the goalkeeping coach, [who approached me]. I think my name was just on the radar and he gave me a call. I packed my bag quickly and shot up.

"That's the type of person I am - I go for anything in life and I'm looking forward to the challenge, getting used to men's football and hopefully helping the team achieve their goals.

"No-one likes to see an injury and I send my condolences to Joe. But it's an opportunity I have to go for, and I'll give 100 per cent.

"It's a good, tight-knit group of lads here, no bad eggs - it just seems like a really good set-up and a good club.

"I'll just give my all and hopefully it will be good enough."

O'Reilly had a spell at the Nike Academy and came through the ranks at Cardiff, before spending last season with Spurs' under-23 side.

"It was a good year, a top club, and the set-up was unbelievable - the standard of training and intensity was different to anything I've ever experienced," he said of his time with the north London club.

"It was good for me and I improved a lot. I've got skills from there I can take in my career."

Prior to joining Spurs, O'Reilly was invited to train with England keepers Joe Hart, Fraser Forster, Jack Butland and Tom Heaton by national coach Martyn Margetson, with whom he had previously worked at Cardiff.

O'Reilly said: "It was one of the best experiences of my life, and an eye-opener.

"You go in there and you don’t see them as normal people, but they were just genuine guys and it was good to experience that, to see how it all works."

United boss John Sheridan is set to recall Adam Campbell and Jack Sowerby to his squad today after both were ruled out of Tuesday's Checkatrade game by their parent clubs.

The Blues boss could also bring Anthony Gerrard and Kelvin Etuhu back into his side.

Cambridge are without former United man Reggie Lambe, who is on international duty with Bermuda, but ex-Blues Jabo Ibehre and David Amoo will figure.