Chris Beech insists he does not have a points tally in mind before he will concede that Carlisle United are safe.

The Blues take on play-off chasing Colchester at Brunton Park today hoping to build on their recent improvement.

United are 17 points above the bottom position and looking increasingly assured of their League Two status for another season.

Beech, though, said he will continue to take things one game at a time.

He said: “In terms of points tally, everybody always says 50, but with having one team [fewer] getting relegated, there’s a different permutation to that.

“I have no real tally or interest in that, other than completely concentrating on sharing an experience with everybody in making sure we can put together a plan, make sure it’s implemented, adjust when we have to and, in front of our supporters, have a good home performance which can support three points.”

Beech again said that he doesn’t believe Carlisle are “safe yet”.

He said his side’s standards must be high against a Colchester side hoping to push their way back into the top seven.

Joshua Kayode is set to return to the squad today after injury with Nathan Thomas being assessed in the build-up to the game.

Defender Byron Webster starts a two-match ban, with Max Hunt among the contenders to replace him.

The head coach added: “I’ve just got to make sure we concentrate as the players do in terms of taking on the challenge of a really good team that’s got a lot of League One experience, and beyond that, in their team.

“Because they’ve not been in the greatest of places [form-wise], they’ll have drawn a line in the sand and said right, we’re in our last 10 games, and we’ve got to really produce now.

“They’ll look at this fixture as a great opportunity to try and kickstart that 10-game campaign they’re on to try and get in the play-offs or beyond.

“I’m wary of that, and mindful of the last fixture we played against them [a 3-0 defeat]; I just want to make sure we’re competitive, structured and we express ourselves, but I want to make sure we win.”

Beech is hoping supporters get the chance to watch today’s game in much better weather conditions than recently.

Heavy winds have affected a number of recent fixtures but things are unlikely to be as blustery today.

Beech added: “I’m really looking forward to it. Hopefully the weather will be good. It’s a beautiful place when that sun comes out – and it’s a lot nicer when you get three points.

“The fans have turned out in some horrendous conditions. They can only be commended for that.

“[Despite] these amber weather warnings etc, especially in the away games, they have been really vocal, lots in numbers, very behind every tackle, header, goal, clearance, and at home.

“I’ve enjoyed and been very respectful of the fact I’m stood in front of them – I feel honoured to be able to do that. I’ve got to make sure I take my job and responsibility of the job correctly and always represent correctly.

“I know how much it means to supporters, to players playing, the feelings, the journey they go on to try and achieve. We’ve got to keep this forward momentum going, and the only way you can do that is by working hard.”