Fit-again skipper Danny Grainger admits the busy winter period will define whether Carlisle United will succeed or fail this season.

The influential Cumbrian, pushing for a place against Colchester today after recovering from a calf injury, says the next month is crucial to inconsistent United’s fortunes.

They are hoping to topple today’s third-placed visitors in order to improve their own position of 13th.

John Sheridan’s side will then face four games in 11 days over the festive period.

Grainger said: “The period between now and mid-January defines your season – there’s no doubt about it.

“It defines where you are going to put a base down and go from – whether that’s in and around the play-offs, the bottom end, or wherever.

“Whoever you are, this period is massive, and it is part and parcel of dealing with the pressure of being a footballer.

“You’ve got to get through this period with more wins than losses and see where it takes you.”

Grainger returned to the squad as an unused sub at MK Dons last weekend and hopes a week’s training since then has put him in closer contention for a return.

Should he start this afternoon, the defender will hope to keep up a remarkable record which is at odds with United’s home struggles.

Grainger has only been involved in one league defeat at Brunton Park throughout 2018 - in contrast with Carlisle’s general difficulties at home which have often come in his absence.

The captain said: “I didn’t know that [stat] myself but it’s just coincidence.

“We are a team and I don’t go onto the pitch on my own.

“Dev [Jamie Devitt] coming back has made a massive difference but he couldn’t have done it without the lads around him.

“Some don’t get the recognition they deserve. Adam Collin has been fantastic, for example, since Joe Fryer got injured.

“We know our home form hasn’t been good enough so we have to work through this period and turn it around.”

Colchester midfielder Harry Pell this week said John McGreal’s side were looking forward to playing on United’s big pitch.

Grainger added: “They are at the top end of the league for a reason. I’ve always said league tables don’t lie and you’re where you deserve to be.

“It’s been frustrating, teams coming and enjoying our pitch more than us.

“I’m sure the manager will have something up his sleeve to counteract their threats.”

On his return from a second calf injury lay-off, the man from Eamont Bridge said: “The manager knows when I’m ready [to start] and he’ll make the decision. He’s the one in charge.

“Whether or not he says I’m fit enough yet I don’t know. [But] I feel good.”

Grainger added: “It was nice to be back involved with the lads last weekend, travelling down, having a bit of crack in the hotel – it’s hard when you’re injured and miss out on that.

“It’s good to be back on the training pitch as well.

“It’s been a frustrating spell. Coming back [from the first injury] and playing a lot of minutes in a short space of time set me back but it’s nice to be over that and hopefully can kick on and try and force myself back in the team.

“Dolly [physio Neil Dalton] and Paddy [Maher, fitness coach] have been quite cautious with me this time – they were fantastic first time round and held me back at times, but this time I made sure I gave it the right amount of time and didn’t rush back. They’ve made sure I’ve done everything right.

“Fingers crossed I can force my way back in the team. The lads have worked hard over the last few weeks and maybe not had the rub of the green, but we need to start picking up points around this busy time.”