John Sheridan says talk of the play-offs should be off the agenda at Carlisle United for the time being.

The Blues manager has seen his side slip to 13th in League Two after another period of inconsistency.

And Sheridan believes he needs to stop referring to the possibility of a top-seven place until his side can produce more reliable form.

United are preparing for this Saturday’s visit of third-placed Colchester after last weekend’s 2-0 defeat at leaders MK Dons saw them fall into the bottom half of the table.

They have won just two of their last nine league games.

Sheridan said: “I probably need to stop mentioning the play-offs.

“We’ve just got to concentrate on game to game and try and get back to winning a football match.

“When we’re winning we can see where it takes us.

“We need to start winning a few games.

“I’m probably talking about the play-offs and we shouldn’t be.”