Yobo signed for Everton in 2003

Everton defender Joseph Yobo believes the club should be in European competition every season.

The Nigerian has been at the heart of Everton's defence as they continue their fight for a top-six finish in the Premiership this season.

It is a position that Everton rarely find themselves in, something no doubt that prompted Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez's "small club" jibe.

That caused so much annoyance at Goodison Park, particularly from Toffees boss David Moyes.

Certainly if Everton - unbeaten in their last four away league games - do reach Europe for the second time in three seasons, the "small club" remark will be history.

Now Yobo has returned from midweek international duty to emphasise what the requirements are for Everton in the future.

The 27-year-old defender led Nigeria to victory against Uganda last weekend.

And having represented his country at the highest level in the World Cup finals, he rues the fact he has not played more often on the highest stage of club football.

With eight games of the season remaining, Yobo knows the Uefa Cup is a fully achievable target.

But he believes that is a target that should be attained more regularly by a squad he rates as one of the best in the top flight.

"Right now we are still in the hunt for a place in Europe. It's one of our targets this season and we'll try to achieve it," he said.

"We had a little blip earlier on, but we are not far from a European place and if we keep doing what we are doing, we will get there.

"Looking at the players we have got at Everton, we should be playing for a European place every season."

Everton could also have a major say in who wins the title, with leaders Manchester United and second-placed Chelsea still to be faced.

Yobo added: "The race is still wide open. If United want to win it, they have to fight all the way as nobody is going to give them any easy games, and they know that.

"Obviously, we know someone is going to drop points along the way. It's going to be tight and at the moment, I can't tell you who will win it.

"I wish I could. The Premiership is such a strange league. You may see a team at the bottom of the table come out and beat a top side.