Manchester City captain Richard Dunne insists UEFA Cup qualification is a realistic target this season.

"At the moment we're playing reasonably well and deserve to be among the leaders," said the central defender.

"Each week as it comes along you have to make sure the same commitment and desire is there. There's no team that's going to go and grab that fifth place on their own. Over the last few years any team that's qualified for the Uefa Cup has done it on the back of a good start.

"So far, we're probably the best of the rest and we've had the best start of anyone else.

"We take each game as it comes. The manager said Fulham is a place you come to and win if you're going to be in the top four. We need to be winning more games away from home.

"We just want to get as many points as we can and then if the manager strengthens the squad in January we can have another look and say we have got a squad to challenge for the top four, or definitely make sure we're in the shake-up for the Uefa Cup places."