COLCHESTER United head coach John McGreal says his promotion-chasing players have “everything to play for” during an exciting climax to the League Two season.

The U’s head into tomorrow’s game at Notts County on the back of a 2-1 victory at home to Luton Town last Saturday.

It left them just two points outside the play-off places, in tenth place, with seven matches remaining.

Now McGreal wants his players to replicate last week’s performance on their travels as they aim to record an important victory on the road.

“We’ve got to be on our mettle to try and get a win,” he said.

“We keep producing these good, solid home performances to put ourselves in the mix.

“Now we need to back it up with some away performances.

“I’d love to be in the top seven, but we’re only two points outside it. Now it’s up to us.

“We’ve come a long way with the squad and we keep producing results. We’re in a position where confidence is quite high.

“Even when we have a negative performance, the boys respond with a positive one.

“I can’t knock the players and we’re going to keep pushing, until we get ourselves into the top seven or we can’t make it.

“We’ve got five weeks and seven games left and there’s everything to play for.”

McGreal is looking forward to an intriguing “battle of minds” in tomorrow’s clash.

Notts County boast a highly-experienced front line that includes former Newcastle United striker Shola Ameobi and ex-Ipswich Town and Sunderland man Jon Stead.

However, the U’s have plenty of experience of their own, with those two – assuming they play – likely to be marked by seasoned pros George Elokobi and Tom Eastman.

It promises to be a fascinating contest that could well be pivotal in terms of deciding who takes the spoils.

“Notts County have got a lot of experience in their team,” said McGreal.

“It’s going to be a real challenge for our defenders and that’s good for them.

“It’s going to be a battle of minds form the outset and a key battle, between their centre-forwards and our centre-halves.

“I think we’ll go hammer and tong at each other and it’s going to be a really tough game.

“From our point of view, it’s given the whole squad a big lift to have Tom back.

“He came through last week’s match really well.

“Considering it was his first game for several weeks, he did tremendously well.

“He’s been terrific all season, when he’s been fit, and carried on where he left off.

“We’ve been thin on the ground in all areas so it’s been a real boost to have him back, especially given the number of games he has under his belt.

“He brings real experience and knowhow to the squad, for such a young man.”