Williams is focusing on the 27 points still available (Getty Images)

The U's are 10 points from safety following their 2-1 home defeat by relegation rivals Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday.

Williams told BBC Essex: "It's a proud man who walks out in a Colchester shirt and we've got to do that until the end of the season.

"It will take an amazing run of results to get out of it but we'll keep going."

Colchester's fight to stay in the Championship has been further hindered by fresh injuries to three of their key players.

I can't fault my players, but it's disappointing to lose in the way we have Colchester boss Geraint Williams

The Layer Road boss admitted: "All sort of things are against us including injuries to Chris Coyne, Kevin Watson and Luke Gutteridge.

"It's going to take something of West Ham proportions to get out of it.

"I can't fault my players, but it's disappointing to lose in the way we have."

United have nine more games to play in order to try and get out of the bottom three, starting with a home encounter against Cardiff City on Saturday.