John McGreal says the prospect of moving into the League Two automatic promotion places should act as a carrot for his Colchester United players tomorrow.

But the U’s head coach has warned he expects opponents Accrington Stanley to prove tough opponents at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

Colchester lie sixth in the table ahead of the clash, three points above Stanley and four points off leaders Plymouth Argyle.

McGreal says they are feeling positive ahead of the game – but knows that it is likely to be a tight contest.

McGreal said: “I think there’s a carrot for us.

“Getting a draw at Barnet last week has given us the opportunity to go into the top three if we win, depending on other results.

“But it’s all ifs, buts and maybes – we’d all love to be in that position come Saturday night but we have a job to do and it’s a tough game.

“It’s going to be tight and hopefully we can get a win.

“We’re in a great vein of form and we’ve been winning games, so I just want to be talking about positives.

“We have a good atmosphere throughout the club and a good atmosphere among the fans and we have great games coming up that we’re looking forward to.

“It’s a home game next and we’ve been doing well there, this season.”

McGreal and his assistant Steve Ball were at the London Stadium on Wednesday night to see Accrington push Premier League side West Ham United all the way in their EFL Cup third-round tie, before bowing out to Dimitri Payet’s fine stoppage-time free-kick.

“It was a great occasion for Accrington at a big stadium,” said McGreal.

“They did ever so well to push West Ham all that way and it was unfortunate for them that they conceded late on.

“They were fantastic and they pushed a good Premier League club right to the wire before conceding in the 96th minute but how they react, only time will tell.

“We’ve watched them and prepped them but it’s more about what we’re going to do.

“It’s a tough league and Accrington have shown that they can mix it up at times but they predominantly want to play.

“They’ve done ever so well and they were unfortunate to miss out on promotion last season on the last day and then again in the play-offs.

“They’ve made a good start this season too and Accrington are a team you’d imagine will be there or thereabouts this season.

“They work particularly hard for each other and they have quality throughout so it’s going to be a really tough game tomorrow.”