Ben Alnwick is yet to make a first-team appearance in two years at Spurs

Carlisle United have completed the signing of Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Ben Alnwick on a one-month loan deal.

"Spurs have given us permission to play him in the FA Cup and he will go straight into the side this weekend," boss John Ward told BBC Radio Cumbria.

"It's a position I felt we needed to look at. And he comes recommended."

Ward has moved to bring Alnwick to Brunton Park in the light of criticism from supporters for regular Carlisle number one Ben Williams.

Williams, who joined The Cumbrians from Crewe in the summer, was widely blamed for the second goal in last weekend's 3-1 reverse at Milton Keynes Dons - Carlisle's fifth straight league defeat.

It shows that everyone at the football club is trying to rectify the position we're in John Ward

"I've no doubt Ben is an excellent goalkeeper but you don't become immune from making the changes. I think people will understand why I've made that decision."

England Under-21 international Alnwick moved to White Hart Lane from Sunderland for �900,000 in January 2007.

A regular for England at youth level, Alnwick came through the ranks at Sunderland, making his first-team debut against Leicester City at the age of 18 in April 2005.

606: DEBATE I don't think Williams can take all the blame...the defence in front of him is clueless Joineewebby

"I'm pleased that the board has backed us in recent weeks," said Ward. "We've brought Ben in as well as Graham Kavanagh and Jennison Myrie-Williams and it shows everyone at the football club is trying to rectify the position we're in."

Alnwick's arrival has increased speculation over the future of Carlisle's second-choice goalkeeper Chris Howarth, yet to make a first-team appearance for the club.

"I'll speak to Chris about the situation," said Ward. "It wasn't a question of going out to get a new goalkeeper in.

"But the opportunity to bring Ben Alnwick in came up and was one I felt I had to take."