Colchester United skipper Kem Izzet has warned they may have to win ugly against Walsall if they are to get back on track.

The U’s head into their home clash with the Saddlers this weekend without a win in their last four matches.

Only a point separates the two clubs, ahead of the League One clash at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

Izzet stressed that spirits are still high among Colchester’s players and they have enjoyed adopting a more attacking approach, this season.

But John Ward’s side have won only two of their opening nine league matches and Izzet admitted that it is important that they get three points on the board, on Saturday.

Izzet said: “I think most people can see that this season has been a lot more pleasing on the eye.

“We want to play some exciting football but we have to make sure that we’re solid all over the pitch.

“The games that we’ve had haven’t been easy but we’ve been disappointed not to have converted the draws into wins.

“We’ve not got enough points on the board for our liking and perhaps we need an ugly win on Saturday.

“It’s an important game for us, like every game we play.

“But we don’t want to make a big mountain out of it and it’s not all doom and gloom.

“Team spirit is very good and we’ve never let it drop.

“Training has been tough this week, so far.

“We’ve worked really hard especially on our fitness and we were a little bit disappointed with the way it went at Sheffield United.

“We looked very good going forward, especially in the first half but we maybe left ourselves a little bit open at the other end.”

The U’s will host a boxing dinner tomorrow night, as part of Izzet’s testimonial year.

A number of Colchester Amateur Boxing Club’s junior and senior fighters will be in action, at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

“I’m sure it’ll be a good night and there’ll be some great boxing on show,” added Izzet.

Tickets are available for the black tie event priced at £55 plus VAT, which includes a three-course meal.

To book your place, email info@kemizzettestimonial.co.uk or visit www.kemizzettestimonial.co.uk for more information.

For all of the latest Colchester United news, including Karl Duguid's exclusive weekly column, see Thursday's Gazette.