Everton manager David Moyes has admitted that he is unsure whether his side can finish in the top four this season.
The Toffees have enjoyed a fine start to the campaign and made it five games unbeaten with their 1-1 draw at Stoke City on Saturday.
However, Moyes believes that his side don't have enough strength in depth to finish in the Champions League places.
"We know that we have not got the strongest squad. We are certainly short. We don't have an awful lot," said Moyes. "We'll do everything we can to finish in the top four. I don't know, when it comes to it, if we will actually have enough. I couldn't be sure if we will.
"But I am not going to talk us down. We are up there because we have played well at the start of the season. Realistically, will it happen? I don't know. But I want us to try and keep pushing and pushing and try to get a position in European football if we can next year.
"I think the middle pack is quite strong. I don't think it would take too much for a team to win three games in a row to be right in the mix. I don't know if we will be there but I know that the competition is quite hot, that's for sure."
Everton currently sit fifth in the Premier League table.
Matt Cotton
