The Imps have four games remaining and are currently sixth in the Sky Bet League Two table. Cowley’s side drew 0-0 with Wycombe Wanderers on Tuesday, with Colchester losing their last game 3-1 against Notts County.
Lincoln’s opponents on Saturday are currently eleventh in the Sky Bet League One table and have 61 points to their name after 43 games.
The U’s star man, Sammie Szmodics has scored 12 league goals this season, including one against the Imps in November.
“I think it’s really tough for us because we have the toughest running of all the play-off potential teams. We’ve done well against the good teams so we are looking forward to Saturday because Colchester are an excellent team,” the Imps boss said.
“They are a club me and Nicky know well with our Essex routes. They’ve got a really good model with bringing young players through. They have great pathways for their staff and academy.
“With their squad, they have a lot of home grown players and compete in the Essex player market.
"You have West Ham, Tottenham, Arsenal and Chelsea all trying to take the very best players out of Essex and Colchester United have tried very hard to compete with the big clubs in terms of getting the best young players into their building.
“They’ve got a nice mix of young players and we’ll want to play much better than we did at their place. We are taking each game as it comes, I know that sounds boring but it’s the truth.
“Colchester probably would have expected to be in the play-offs with the size of the club and the quality of players they have, but it’s a really tight league and the difference between success and failure is marginal.”
Wycombe described Sincil Bank as “a cauldron of an atmosphere” after their visit and with Colchester visiting this weekend, the Imps boss is hoping for similar support from the home fans.
“It’s going to be a long summer, so pack all your energy! The atmosphere was great on Tuesday. They stayed with us and they will need to stay with us on Saturday. It’s life changing and it could be a season defining game for us,” said Cowley.
“We have four to go, four really big games and they are life changing games for us. We would have cut our right arm off to be in this position at the start of the season. We are looking forward to the challenges these will bring.”
Click HERE to purchase tickets for the fixture.
