JABO Ibehre has a message for final day hosts Carlisle United – “we are going to rip your heads off!”

Colchester United, still haunted by the threat of relegation, face a 716-mile round trip to Cumbria for their last game of the season, still needing a point to be guaranteed League One football next term.

The U’s blew a great chance to secure safety last Saturday, when managing just a goalless home draw against Shrewsbury.

A win would have removed that cloud of relegation, once and for all, but a below-par display from Joe Dunne’s men, combined with Scunthorpe’s surprise 1-0 win at MK Dons, has kept the uncertainty going into the final week.

“It’s the biggest game for many of our careers,” admitted Ibehre.

“Obviously you want to be playing in the play-offs, but this is the equivalent.

“You are playing for your League One status, you are playing for your families, your own personal careers and your own pride.

“It’s maybe a bonus that Carlisle are not really playing for much. They are safe, and we are going there to rip their heads off!

“We’re playing for our lives, and I am sure that will make a difference.

“We all know the situation this week, there is no other game. This is it,” added Ibehre.

Although it promises to be a nervous occasion, U’s striker Ibehre is relishing the challenge.

“I’m really looking forward to it, because I want to be in big games. It’s an experience for us as well, to see what people are made of. There’s no reason why we can’t do it right,” said Ibehre.