LUKE Garbutt says Oxford United’s mental strength will be the key as they attempt to get out of relegation trouble.

Following the midweek defeat at Accrington Stanley, Karl Robinson’s side head back north today ahead of tomorrow’s game at Blackpool.

They are looking for a spark to turn a slump in form which has seen them win just once in 11 Sky Bet League One games.

Garbutt has been on the fringes for most of the season, but came off the bench to score at Accrington and is likely to be needed again due to injuries and Cameron Brannagan’s suspension.

The 25-year-old admits a relegation scrap was never on his mind when he joined on loan from Everton last summer, but is ready for the fight.

“My ambition was to be at the other end of the table,” he said.

“With the signings we made and the way the gaffer wanted the season to go, it was all pointing in the right direction.

“We got off to a bad start and we’ve not really been able to U-turn that and make it into a positive.

“In the middle of the season we had a few positive results, but it never really cleared us out of that relegation battle.

“Now we’ve just got to knuckle down.

“We’re in a dogfight and our mentality will see us over the line, because I believe we have enough quality.

“The never-say-die attitude is what’s going to get us out of this situation.

“You can’t feel sorry for yourself, you can’t just shy away from it.

“We think we’re decent players, but we are where we are and we have to get out of it.

“There’s no ifs or buts, there’s 13 games to go, 13 finals and that’s how we’ve got to go into it.

“Saturday is a massive game and we’ve got to get a result.”