Floundering Carlisle United are in the last chance saloon this weekend, admits head coach Mark Hughes.
The Blues look destined for relegation ahead of Saturday’s home clash with Newport County.
United are nine points from safety with six games to go and only an unlikely run of victories can given them even a remote chance of clinging onto their EFL status.
So certain are Carlisle for the drop according to some bookmakers that odds of 1/500 are now offered for the Cumbrians to sink into the National League.
Anything other than a win against 17th-placed Newport is now unthinkable, concedes Hughes.
“Yes, we have to win at the weekend, we have to accept that,” said Hughes.
“I don't mind saying it. We need to get three points on the board.”
Carlisle’s slide towards non-league has hastened with back-to-back away defeats at Doncaster Rovers and Chesterfield.
They must now pray for a weekend that can hold off the inevitable, the Blues hoping for a victory coupled with a defeat for third-bottom Tranmere Rovers against Chesterfield.
Carlisle are closer to the brink of relegation after Tuesday's defeat at Chesterfield (Image: Richard Parkes)
In all likelihood, though, Carlisle will soon be consigned to the fifth tier for only the second time in their history amid a shambolic season.
On United’s dwindling hopes, Hughes said: “We’re all realistic.
“On Tuesday [in the 2-1 defeat at Chesterfield] we couldn't make any impression on what we wanted to do, but we'll keep going and see what the weekend brings and we all have to stick together.
“We've had two difficult games. I thought [on Tuesday] the players’ effort and work rate was good. It was very difficult to affect the opposition, given their quality and numerical advantage [after Elliot Embleton’s red card].
“We just have to accept that. It was a better performance than against Doncaster, where I wasn't really happy with that at all. At least there's been improvement on that.”
Hughes is facing a number of selection issues this weekend with Matt Dennis (hamstring) likely to miss out and Cameron Harper also sidelined again because of concussion protocols.
Sam Lavelle (ankle) is another concern while Hughes hopes Stephen Wearne recovers from a back spasm in time to return.
Sean Fusire, substituted on Tuesday with a facial injury, is expected to be available with Aaron Hayden also potentially in line to return after injury and illness, but Embleton will be suspended.
