DANNY Cowley is urging his Colchester United to provide a sprint finish as they strive to get over the line in their League Two survival battle.

The U's visit Notts County in their final away game of the season tomorrow, knowing a win will secure their EFL status for another season.

Colchester head into the game at Meadow Lane four points above the relegation zone with three matches to go, including a game in hand on main rivals Sutton United who host Crawley Town.

U's head coach Cowley said: “We’re in the final straight now and we need a sprint finish.

READ MORE: Colchester United chairman Robbie Cowling reveals budget hope

“It’s the London Marathon this weekend, 26 miles – even Mr Blobby in a big suit sprints in the final metres!

“Final week, three great games against possession-based teams which I think will ask a lot of our defensive organisation and we’re really looking forward to them.

“Notts County have a really clear identity and a clear way of playing.

“They have some excellent players offensively.

“They had an excellent start to the season and a wonderful rhythm, off the back of getting promoted last year.

“There’s a lot to respect and we know that it’s going to be a really tough game for us.

“But we’re a strong team now, a tough team now and I think we showed that in the way we played against a really direct Grimsby team.

Gazette:

“We defended our box very, very well and on Saturday, we have the opportunity to show what a strong team and tough team we are in terms of the way we work against the ball and also, to take the ball as well.

“Against Crawley, a possession-based team, we did both sides of the game really well and I think good teams do both sides of the game."

Colchester are in the middle of a demanding period of games, a run of seven matches in the space of 21 days.

The U's head to Notts County with a number of players out due to injury and suspension but Cowley insists they will not be feeling sorry for themselves.

“My feeling is this: you’re the guy that goes to the gym," said Cowley.

READ MORE: Former Colchester defender signs deal with Championship club

“If you have a negative mindset, you go to the gym, you do your session, you do your cardio, you do your weights, you leave the gym and you think ‘I feel really tired.

“Or you’re the positive guy – you go to the gym, you do your cardio, you do your weights and you think ‘I feel fitter, I feel stronger, I feel better’.

“Footballers are no different.

“They’re trained all season and they should be at their peak.

“We spend a lot of time, in terms of periodization, looking after the way that they live and the way that they train so that they can peak at the most crucial time of the season.

“We think we’re at our fittest, we think we’re at our strongest and we’re ready for the challenges that this final week will bring."