Tony Humes believes several clubs could become embroiled in a League One survival battle over the final weeks of the season.

But the Colchester United boss insists his side cannot afford to rely on other results going in their favour, if they are to avoid relegation to League Two.

The U’s have closed to within four points of safety with eight matches to go, following their 2-2 draw with Gillingham, last Saturday.

Defeats for the likes of Crewe Alexandra and Notts County last weekend have dragged them further into the mire.

Just five points separate the seven clubs that sit immediately above bottom club Yeovil Town in the table.

Humes said: “Everybody is capable of beating other clubs.

“There are other clubs who are getting dragged down into it and some above 45 points who could potentially get brought down, because of the way everybody is beating everybody.

First and foremost, you have to do your own job, though.

“You can’t rely on other results because you don’t know what’s going to happen.”

Colchester currently have 38 points and boss Humes knows that they have to win as many of their eight remaining games as possible if they are to stay up.

“I think you’re always looking around that 50-point mark but then you’re looking to get as many as you can,” he said.

“If it’s five wins we need, then that’s what we have to go for.

“But we have to look at every game in the near future as going for three points.

“You look at winning each game before you and until you get to the point where you know you’re safe, you can’t do anything else.”

Colchester now have a gap between fixtures, following the postponement of their home game against promotion-chasing Swindon Town because of the Robins’ international call-ups.

The U’s next game is at Port Vale on Good Friday, leaving them with nearly a fortnight’s break between games.

Humes added: “We would rather not have a 13-day break between games, because you have games to go and get points from.

“Other teams will be playing and if they pick up points, it adds more pressure.

“Equally, if they don’t pick up points it gives us that game in hand that we have to catch up but it’s about putting points on the board.”

For all of the latest Colchester United news, see the Daily Gazette.