Colchester manager John McGreal insists tomorrow's clash with Carlisle United is not about revenge.

The Essex club were beaten 4-0 at Brunton Park back in December.

The two sides remain close rivals in the play-off places, separated by one position and one point.

McGreal says the encounter two months ago has little bearing on the rematch at the JobServe Community Stadium.

"The 4-0 defeat was a long time ago," he said.

"I’m trying to think back to last week, never mind the early part of December.

"We won’t get involved in any kind of revenge talk or this, that and the other.

"They beat us fair and square on the day and they were very good on the day.

"They were just turning results around under John Sheridan – I know there’s a new manager in charge there now in Steve [Pressley] and I know he’s trying to carry it on.

"Performance-wise against MK Dons, they were very good last week.

"We know it’s going to be difficult, but that game two months ago is one we’ve totally moved on from."

Colchester have taken seven points from their last three games to strengthen their play-off challenge.

Frontman Frank Nouble has scored in his last three outings, while they boast one of the division's stronger home records.

McGreal's side have won nine, drawn three and lost four on their own pitch.

He added that he will take Carlisle's threat seriously despite the Blues' three-game winless run.

"February has been a decent month up to now but we know it’s going to be a very difficult match against a fellow team that’s in and around the play-offs," he said.

"It’s one that we’re really looking forward to, knowing that we’ve been on a really good run.

“It’s a great game – Carlisle will come to us in confident mood.

"I know they’ve lost a couple of late but performance-wise, they’ve been good and they were down to 10 men at Crewe in their last away match.

“They’re a really good passing team and play a good style, like we do - we know what to expect.

“They’ll come with a lot of threats in their team and we’ll have to be right on the money to try and take care of that but also implement our own style of play."