Craig Fagan is hoping his former club Colchester United can do the Tigers a favour on Saturday afternoon.

While City will be looking for three points against Crystal Palace, United take on second-placed Stoke at Layer Road and anything less than a win for the Potters combined with the Tigers avoiding defeat will take the automatic promotion race to the last weekend of the season.

"We know it's in Stoke's hands now, but they have two very tough games coming up," said Fagan.

"It's Colchester's last ever game at Layer Road and they won't want to leave there with a defeat.

"It's a big occasion for them and if I was playing there, it certainly wouldn't be a game I wanted to lose. I'm sure they'll be trying desperately to win the game."

Fagan is predicting a tentative opening to the Tigers' clash with Palace as both sides go in search of three points.

"I think Palace need a result as badly as we do. The first 20 minutes might be a bit tentative, but I think it will be fast and furious after that."

Although automatic promotion is still the aim for City, should they have to go down the Play-Off route they can call on the experience of Fagan.

The striker-turned-winger was part of the Derby side that won promotion to the Premier League at Wembley last season and believes the Tigers have what it takes to emulate that success.

"I think the players and staff here have got what it takes to get up through the Play-Offs, if we have to go that way.

"There's a lot of experience in this squad and that is always a good thing to have when it comes to the Play-Offs."

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