Sunderland manager Roy Keane has warned his side to concentrate on extending their winning run this weekend.
Derby's 1-0 win over Luton on Friday means Sunderland cannot secure promotion at Colchester on Saturday.
But the Black Cats boss said: "If we keep winning football matches the league will take care of itself.
Irishman Keane has guided Sunderland from second bottom of the table to within sight of a place in the Premiership with three games left.
They are unbeaten in 2007 and are looking for a sixth straight win at Colchester but former Manchester United and Celtic midfielder Keane wants his side to finish the job.
He added: "We've got three difficult games coming up and we'll be pushed all the way.
"The results of the other teams is out of our control. If we win our last three games we finish top.
"Being top now doesn't mean much. We want to be there in two or three weeks' time when it really counts."
Colchester's ground is the smallest in the Championship and has proved too daunting a task for 14 of the 18 teams who have visited this season.
But Keane says his side will not be intimidated by the tightly-packed Layer Road.
He said: "It's still a football pitch. I've never seen a supporter score a goal or cross for a goal.
"Colchester is a tough game. Their record at home is second to none, but it will be tough for them as well."