Tom Lapslie knows that Colchester United’s objective will be clear when they host Yeovil Town tomorrow.

The U’s need wins to boost their slim hopes of making the League Two play-offs and head into the match seven points off the top seven, with ten games to go.

“There’s no beating around the bush – we need to get three points and it’s a massive game,” said the U’s midfielder, ahead of the clash at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

“We have three games in seven days coming up and I’m looking forward to it.

“It’s a good opportunity for us and hopefully we can get nine points out of them but let’s just focus on Yeovil for now.

“We have to keep in touch with the likes of Coventry and wins are a must at the moment.

Lapslie, who returned to Colchester’s starting line-up at Mansfield Town last weekend, accepts that their showing against Yeovil will have to be a big improvement on their last home display, the disappointing 1-0 loss to bottom club Barnet.

He said: “We all knew after the Barnet game what we needed to do – there were words said and we said after the game that it was unacceptable for this club.

“It was maybe the attitude to the game.

“There are games where we’re not going to play well and that will happen but it was the manner of it.

“We didn’t do ourselves justice - the bare minimum is to run and we all agreed that didn’t happen.

“We’ll be giving 100 per cent on Saturday and let’s hope we play well as well and get three points.

“I don’t think the squad has ever been down.

“We were obviously disappointed with the results against Barnet and Crewe but the boys were happy with the way we played at Mansfield.

“It was a good point for us – we wanted to win but the mood is good."

Lapslie had found himself out of favour for five games, prior to being recalled to Colchester’s starting line-up against Mansfield.

“I’ve been disappointed not to have been playing but you have to keep your head down and work hard,” said Lapslie, who reclaimed the Colchester captain’s armband at Mansfield with Luke Prosser on the bench.

“I got my chance at Mansfield and hopefully, I’ve done enough.

“I want to be in the team but it can also be beneficial to come out and there’s different ways of learning, as well.

“Watching for a few games, you see other players and it can make you a bit hungrier too.

“The manager chooses his team and I’m thankful playing in whichever position it may be."

Lapslie says he will be fit to face Yeovil this weekend if selected, despite suffering a head injury during the Mansfield draw last Saturday.

The 22-year-old needed treatment following the accidental clash and the U's at one stage were preparing Sean Murray to come off the bench and take his place, in midfield.

However, Lapslie battled on and lasted until the 88th minute, when he was replaced by loanee Ben Stevenson for the final stages of the match at Field Mill.

He said: “I’m fine – I took a bit of a knock but I’m all good.

“I knew where I was, I was conscious and I didn’t black out or anything.

“The medical staff weren’t too sure so I gave my point of view to them and thankfully, it was all good.”

Lapslie played in a slightly more advanced role for Colchester at Mansfield and the former U's academy player says he enjoyed it.

He added: “Every player likes to think of themselves as someone who can score some goals.

“I had a bit more of a free reign with Coms in behind but whatever the manager asks me to do, I’m happy to do it."