Brabin's side won their first four games of the season

Cambridge United manager Gary Brabin has said the spate of injuries affecting his players is contributing to their recent poor form.

The U's, who lost 3-1 at Oxford on Tuesday, have won just one of their last seven games.

And Brabin told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire he is missing key men.

He said: "We miss Andy Parkinson, Anthony Tonkin, Mark Beesley, Courtney Pitt and Chris Holroyd and I am going to use those excuses now."

He added: "I genuinely believe I've got a team good enough to be pushing for promotion from this league, but we're going to have to wake up and push on a little bit."

We can't work miracles and people are out for a long time Gary Brabin

Brabin admitted he was still unsure when some of his injured players would be returning to action.

He told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire: "The sooner, the better, but at the minute we can't work miracles and people are out for a long time and we're not getting any nearer."

The U's boss also said he feels some sides are raising their game against his side.

He said: "Everyone is coming to us when they're lacking confidence and then they're having the game of their lives against us."