PICKFORD: PUSH FOR EUROPE IS REALISTIC TARGET

Keeper says Blues squad good enough to press for high finish but consistency key

- By JOE THOMAS

JORDAN Pickford believes Europe is a possibility for Everton - but only if they can find a consistency that has been lacking so far this season.

The Blues head to the goalkeeper's former club Sunderland on Monday sitting 15th in the table but just six points off the top seven.

The England number one said the club's qualification for European competitions was a key factor in his decision to move to Merseyside from Wearside in 2017 - and the desire to return to that stage is driving him and the team.

Ultimately, he said as he reflected on his new contract with the Blues, ending the club's trophy drought is one of his remaining ambitions - one that comes second only to lifting a major trophy with England.

And they are dreams worth sacrificing his love of motocross racing for, he added.

In an interview with BBC Sport ahead of his first return to boyhood club Sunderland since his transfer to Everton, the 31-year-old detailed his ambitions and expectations for the coming years.

Chief among them is to lead the Blues to better days after being their saviour through recent years of crisis off the pitch and relegation battles on it.

He said: “When I first signed we were in Europe and that was the driver then and that is where Everton should be.