Tim Cahill is backing Everton to qualify for European football this season but suggests a top-four finish could be slightly out of reach.
The Toffees find themselves sitting sixth on the Premier League table, five points behind fifth-placed Tottenham, with 11 fixtures left to play in the 2013/14 season.
Former Everton star Cahill, who is preparing for the 2014 MLS season with New York Red Bulls, has enjoyed watching Roberto Martinez's men this campaign but suggests there may be too much work ahead to push into the top four and subsequently landing a Champions League berth.
"It will be very difficult for Everton to finish in the top four," he told talkSPORT's Drivetime.
"But the top six is definitely still massive for them and you never know, they could sneak in the back door.
"They've played some great football this year and the manager has done well and made some great signings.
"For the club it's all about looking for some consistency and hopefully they can build on that for the rest of the year and finish strongly."
Everton next take on Arsenal in the FA Cup quarter-finals this Saturday before returning to league action on March 15 when they host relegation battlers Cardiff City.
