KEITH Millen admits his Carlisle United side must be 'right on it' when they face Colchester United in a vital clash tomorrow.

The Cumbrians boss is expecting to face a U's side who have been boosted by the interim appointment of Wayne Brown.

Colchester lie three points above Carlisle - and five points above the League Two relegation zone, ahead of the crucial game at the JobServe Community Stadium.

The Cumbrians head into the game on the back of a home defeat to Port Vale, their fourth straight league loss.

Millen told the News and Star: “I don’t know what went on previously, but I think they’ve had a bounce from the interim manager with Wayne going back there.

“He’s had an impact on the team. They’ve not changed that much from the games previously.

"Sometimes a new manager, or interim manager, comes in, gives them a little bit of confidence, and changes the mindset.

“They’ve brought in a couple of players as well in January; whether they’re fit or not we’ll just have to wait and see.

“They’re an effective team going forward. They try and play in the right areas.

"They’re not a Port Vale as in the physical side of it so much. I would say they’re more of a footballing side.

“They’ve got their threats, definitely, and we’re going to have to make sure we’re right on it and really aggressive. And hopefully cause them some problems.”

Carlisle head into the game on the back of a miserable run of four successive defeats and have not won in their last six games.

The Cumbrians were beaten 3-1 at home by Port Vale, on Tuesday night.

Millen said: “It’s the next game. The next game gives you an opportunity to change that run.

“When we were on a good run, Forest Green was our next game, I wanted to continue the run and they beat us.

“I don’t particularly count the wins and the losses. It’s more a bounce back from the previous game.

“We’ve not been good enough, so that’s what I’m going to be talking about – a reaction from Tuesday. The lads understanding that we have to fight.

“The season isn’t going to be defined on Saturday. It’s not going to define where we end up, because there will still be 16 games left.

"But it can still set a tone that hopefully we can build on.”