Bongani Khumalo insists Colchester United’s players are not getting carried away with their recent upturn in form.

But the on-loan centre-back says the U’s squad are determined to maintain the momentum generated by their impressive run.

Colchester have just recorded back-to-back wins and are unbeaten in four matches, pulling to within two points of safety in League One with six games remaining.

But ahead of this weekend’s crucial trip to play fellow strugglers Coventry City, defender Khumalo says the U’s are staying level headed in their survival quest.

Khumalo said: “There’s a long way to go and no-one is getting carried away.

“What’s done is done but we’ll continue to take the positive momentum, work-rate and all-round good attitude and we’ll keep going.

“It’s a big game against Coventry on Saturday but every game is big - we need to get a result from every game to give ourselves a chance.

“We did that against Barnsley and we’ll aim to continue that on Saturday.”

Khumalo is yet to finish on the losing side for Colchester since joining them on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, last month.

The South Africa international has been a solid performer at the back for the U’s, helping them claim ten points from a possible 12.

“I’m thoroughly enjoying it and coming here, I knew exactly what was expected of me,” said the 28-year-old, who had not played competitive league football for nearly a year prior to joining Colchester because of a serious knee injury.

“I’m very happy that we seem to be on the right track.

“I’m happy to be playing games and I’m very grateful to the manager and the club for giving me the opportunity to come here and play.

“Since I’ve been here, I think we’ve shown different dynamics to the team.

“It’s the first time that we’ve had to come from behind (against Barnsley) since I’ve been here and we managed to do that.

“I think going forward, it will give us the confidence to know that having a good team effort and sticking together can help us in any situation.”