James McCarthy has stated that finishing in one of the European positions is a realistic ambition for Everton this season.

Everton have made a fine start to their current Premier League campaign and following a run of five matches without a defeat in all competitions, the Toffees look a good bet to finish in Europe.

Midfielder McCarthy has been pleased by the start which his side have made but has insisted that the Toffees cannot afford to get carried away as of yet.

The Irishman told Everton's official website: "We are not getting carried away. We had a tough start in terms of the games and we've got another tough few games coming up, so all we're focused on is each game as it comes. Of course we want to build on the start we've had and we believe we can.

"We want to achieve things at the club, get into European places, that's the aim. Come January we can look again at the table and take stock then. There will still be a long way to go in the league but we can weigh up from there where we want to be going."