The bad blood between Carlisle United and Colchester's players which was a feature of their last meeting "has been mentioned" in the build-up to Saturday's rematch, admits boss Steven Pressley.

United's 4-0 thrashing of the Essex side in December saw some Blues players hit back at some off-field stick they had taken from their opponents.

That Brunton Park clash, which featured goals from Hallam Hope, Jamie Devitt, Danny Grainger and former loanee Jerry Yates, came under Pressley's predecessor John Sheridan.

As the sides prepare to meet again this weekend, Pressley said he had no problem in the matter being referred to again if it fires up his players.

"It’s been mentioned," United's boss said. "It’s not been talked about a great deal but it was mentioned to me so I’m aware of the situation.

“I like a bit of that. Anything that brings a better performance and motivation, we can use.

“We all hear about managers putting certain things up in the dressing room, talking about certain aspects.

"We have to use every aspect to get a psychological gain because the psychological aspect is so important. If that helps us, fantastic.”

One of the Colchester players at the centre of the exchanges, midfielder Harry Pell, is set to miss out through injury this time.

Pressley, meanwhile, said he expects a stern test against John McGreal’s opponents.

The Us are one point and one position above seventh-placed Carlisle.

Pressley added: “I watched Colchester at Northampton the other week and they won the game there [4-0] very convincingly with a really good performance.

“They’re a team with good energy, with a number of match-winners, that we have to ensure cannot influence the game in the manner they want.

"They are also very committed to their own academy, with a number of academy players in their squad and team.

“But these are games we should really enjoy. When you’re in the position we’re in, there’s a pressure and expectation, but that’s a good pressure and we should enjoy it and use it as a motivation for us.

“We have to look at certain aspects of their play we must try and nullify. But the most important thing for me is we impose our game on them.

"We have to impose a game plan that suits our players. That’s the most important thing in management.

“We all love the way certain managers play but you have to have the correct personnel to play that way. I don’t mean so much in possession, I mean out of possession.”

Pressley said another challenge for his players is to turn last week’s first-half performance in the 3-2 defeat to MK Dons into a full 90-minute display.

He said: “When I looked back at the [MK] game, the most encouraging aspect for me was that the opening 45 minutes was our best 45 minutes since I’ve come to the club.

“That’s from all the aspects we work on – control of the game, choices in and out of possession, when to counter-attack, when to press, when to defend lower. We made brilliant choices. The goal was avoidable but they did not cause us another bit of problems.

“The second half changed solely on possession of the ball. We continuously gave the ball away. There was no other difference than we made poor choices that didn’t allow us to implement the way we play. That was disappointing.”

Pressley, meanwhile, says he and his team will do their best to reward supporters making one of the longer journeys of the season on Saturday.

It is the first of two lengthy trips, with Newport the following weekend.

“It’s a real undertaking and make no mistake, we appreciate the support,” Pressley said. “Prior to me coming to the club when I watched the game at Northampton, I was surprised by the following and really encouraged by it.

“It’s a big challenge for our supporters and that’s why we have a responsibility as a staff and players to ensure that when they travel that distance, they’re not let down.

“They might be let down sometimes by mistakes but can never be let down by the effort of the team.”