“I’m a positive guy so I genuinely think we’re going in the right direction.

“You need to be realistic as well and think maybe that’s a bit too far-fetched, but I think sixth is reachable.

“We just have to start turning those draws into wins, it’s as simple as that.

“We’re not far off, I really don’t think we are. I think you can judge us fairly when everyone is back fit.”

Things have improved on that front with summer signings Yerry Mina and Andre Gomes both playing in a 60-minute game at the club’s Finch Farm training complex after foot and hamstring injuries respectively.

Midfielder James McCarthy, who sustained a double fracture of his right leg in January, also looks set to be in contention for the resumption of the Premier League campaign against Crystal Palace a week on Sunday after also featuring in that game along with captain Phil Jagielka, who has not appeared since the opening game of the season after suspension and a knee injury.

Press Association Sport understands, however, the club are not interested in signing former Arsenal and Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri when the 31-year-old completes an 18-month ban next month for breaching World Anti-Doping Agency’s rules on receiving an intravenous treatment.

ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Carl Markham, Press Association Sport');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', '15bdfcf0-e4f2-4fbb-b47f-a45d48106145');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:club-news,paservice:sport:football,paservice:sport:uk');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'Walcott: Top-six finish is achievable for Everton'});