MICHAEL Collins believes Oxford United’s players have to fight for their livelihoods and be willing to put their bodies on the line for the sake of the club’s Football League status, writes JACK JOHNSON.

United’s 2-0 defeat at second-placed Shrewsbury Town on Saturday leaves them six points above the Sky Bet League Two relegation zone with eight games left.

The U’s host fellow strugglers Carlisle United this weekend. And with four of their remaining matches against sides in and around the danger zone, Collins is urging his teammates to roll up their sleeves.

The 28-year-old said: “Everybody is going to have to stand up and fight.

“If we have eight ugly games now and we are safe within four, that’s the way it is going to have to be.

“All I want is points. If it has to be ugly, with broken noses and blood spilled for the cause, then so be it.

“Saturday is a massive game and one I’m really looking forward to.

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“I love a fight and I’m prepared to dig in, so are the rest of the lads, between now and the end of the season.”

After Liam Lawrence smashed home an 82nd-minute free-kick to seal victory for Shrewsbury, goalkeeper Ryan Clarke and winger Alex MacDonald appeared to clash over the latter’s place in the wall.

The pair were booked, but Collins doesn’t mind seeing that reaction among his teammates.

He added: “I like that, it shows how much people care and want to get the right results for this football club.

“We have got passionate lads here who are playing for their livelihoods, that’s the way it is going to be.

“I’d be more worried if we came in after the game and everybody just sat there silent, but that’s not the case.

“We’ve all had a say, but we have to stay positive and build on the performance.”

Head coach Michael Appleton echoed Collins’ comments, saying: “I would rather see that type of emotion than people who don’t care.

“Ultimately, there is a spirit regardless of what people may believe, we just need to keep believing.”