THESE are testing times for Oxford United, but head coach Michael Appleton knows one way or another they need a win tomorrow to stay on track.

The club’s message all week has been clear – automatic promotion is still in their hands.

That is true, as is the point we would have all taken this position if it was offered back in August.

But context is everything and the U’s head into the final three games in the worst form and the most stretched squad of the four sides battling for second and third.

United have been in the top three for 195 days, but to get to 196 Appleton is sure his side – regardless of their injury problems – have to do themselves the favour, rather than hoping it comes from elsewhere.

“I believe the other teams will win, so we need to win,” he said.

“I don’t think we’re going to get a favour, we just have to do this job ourselves.

“There’s no point trying to kid people.

“It’s easy for me to say it’s the third game in the last block, but we’re at the business end now, so I’m not going to try and do that.

“We’ve been really good in big games this year.

“You think back to some of the cup ties we’ve had and the lads have really responded.

“It’s about doing that again.”

There is every chance their injury problems will have eased significantly by the time they visit Carlisle United next weekend.

It is what makes Hartlepool United’s visit to the Kassam Stadium so fundamental to the promotion hopes.

If United can find a way to claw out a victory and stay in the top three this weekend, they may have weathered the poorly-timed storm and head into the final two games getting stronger.

Dropping out at this stage would be tough to take, although typically Appleton is staying composed at the thought of playing catch-up with 180 minutes of the season remaining.

He said: “We want to be exactly where we are at this moment, but we won’t lose faith if anything like that did happen.

“We’ve worked too hard, we’ve played too many games and had too many ups and downs.

“Somewhere along the line the destiny will always be in our own hands.

“We’ve just got to make sure we take this first opportunity we’ve got.”

He added: “If we all stay together I genuinely believe if we get one or two faces back that could and will be the difference.”