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Qualifying for Europe remains a priority for Everton, insists Roberto Martinez.

The Everton manager said finishing in the top four is not out of reach for his side, and that he has no qualms about qualifying for the Europa League either.

Everton are nine points adrift of fourth place with 11 games to play , and face strugglers Cardiff City at Goodison Park on Saturday.

“All we want is to try and get as many as we can,” said Martinez.

“And can you get top four? Well mathematically you can. I think you’re looking at the points tally that you’re going to need to get in those positions and it’s still achievable.

“It would depend as well on how the other clubs react to the disappointment of not being involved in Europe, other clubs that are still in Europe.

“I think there are many aspects that are going to affect the final points tally needed to be in that top four position.

“Then after that you’ve got the Europa League qualification which is something another important aim to fight for.

“From us it’s something that gives us the opportunity to fight in every single front from now until the end of the season.”

And Martinez dismisses those that say the Europa League is a distraction.

“Not at all,” he said. “I think it would be very easy for us to say that we don’t want to qualify for Europe and just let the season cruise through and that’s not the case at all.

“I think qualifying for Europe for us it would be a massive step forward because it would bring big football occasions that I do feel we need to be able to develop into the type of team that we want to be.

“Clearly, getting into Europe is a big big objective and something that would allow us to grow as a football club.

“We’re going to fight with everything to achieve that.”

Martinez also stressed the summer’s World Cup has no influence on how he picks his team.

“Nothing whatsoever,” he said, when asked if it comes into his reckoning.

“It’s a really long period that we have in the next nine weeks.

“It’s the most important part of the league when you go into any competition.

“What really matters is the last 33 points you play for and fight for.

“So in that respect, all decisions are based on that.”

With third-bottom Cardiff coming to Goodison Park on Saturday, Martinez can sympathise with their position.

“As you can imagine I know exactly how they are feeling. They are fighting for every point and they’ve got a real sense of belief and confidence.

“We know that we will have to be at our best to be able to cope with these emotions of the Cardiff side."

Martinez said Phil Jagielka and Steven Pienaar will be assessed ahead of the weekend.

“Phil is recovering well and we will make a really late decision in terms of the weekend just to make sure he’s fully fit for the remainder of the season,” he said.

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