Bolton Wanderers-Everton Preview

Mar 18, 2010 - 4:38 PM GEOFF McALLISTER STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Everton midfield star Tim Cahill is convinced European football is within his club's grasp as Bolton head to Goodison Park on Saturday.

By the middle of the season Everton, ravaged by injuries to key players, were closer to the relegation places than the top ten.

But as the players have returned Everton have embarked on a superb run of two league defeats in 15 and along the way have beaten Chelsea and Manchester United.

Australia international Cahill will again be crucial to ninth-placed Everton's success over what remains of the season.

Cahill said: "We have nine matches to go and we know what we have to do to get back into European competition."

The chances of Everton cracking the top four and an automatic place in the Champions League are remote although mathematically possible.

More likely Everton will qualify for the next-best, Europa League if they can maintain their excellent run of success.

Everton were knocked out of this year's Europa League by Sporting Lisbon with manager David Moyes regretting not being able to field his strongest teams.

Cahill said: "This could still be a special season. The more games we win, the more chance we have of playing in Europe.

"We have a strong squad, a strong mentality and we are ready to kick on."

Long-term absentees Mikel Arteta, Victor Anchebe and Yakubu are all fit again and anxious to make up for lost time.

But United States international Landon Donovan has returned to LA Galaxy at the end of his loan spell in which he scored twice in seven starts and made a big impression.

Opponents Bolton are moving in the right direction under new manager Owen Coyle having won three of their last four matches.

Coyle is rapidly justifying his controversial decision to quit relegation rivals Burnley and move across Lancashire to the Reebok.

Coyle will have defender Gary Cahill available after resuming full training, Sam Ricketts is freed from suspension and midfield player Mark Davies is also fit again.

Bolton are now eight points clear of the relegation places and Coyle would like soon to be able to start looking ahead to next season and to plan for a Premier League future.

"No one is more optimistic than me. But our task has not changed and that is to stay out of the bottom three and with that our objective there is work to be done.

"Once we are safe we can look at other things, the summer and beyond but there is still a long way to go and matches don't come any tougher at the moment than a trip to Everton.

"The good thing is that we are getting players back and I am looking forward to seeing Mark Davies in particular.

"Mark is a promising player and we have high hopes for him. Now that he is free of injury we will get a good look at him and see what he can do."