Enner's European Aim With Everton

Enner Valencia is viewing the season's run-in as 10 opportunities to score goals and win points for Everton - the “massive club” he is thoroughly enjoying representing.

Valencia’s role with the Blues has been mainly as a substitute but he is determined to bring European football back to Goodison Park and would be open to making his season-long loan from West Ham United a permanent transfer in the summer.

The Ecuadorian has scored twice so far during his spell with the Blues, against Southampton at Goodison in January and at White Hart Lane two Sundays ago.

“I’m having a great time,” he told evertonfc.com. “They are a great group of lads and I’m at a massive club. I’ve struck lucky to be amongst some good teammates and not only am I enjoying it but my family are, too.

“I’m really lucky, there’s a group of us that stick together. Even Romelu and Kevin speak Spanish even though they aren’t originally from Spanish-speaking counties. People like Joel, Funes Mori I get on well with, and even though Gana doesn’t speak Spanish, he gets involved in our group.

“The disappointment is not being able to play as many minutes as I would have liked but that’s something that you never give up on. I’m working hard in training to be ready when I get the chance again.

“I’m all about being positive and the best possible way of looking at things. I’m really keen to play and am keen to help out the team and play.

“There are 10 games in which I could play. And those 10 games are vital because what we have to do is seal qualification for one of the European competitions.

“It’s all about focusing on the present rather than the future. I’m focusing on getting the best performances in these 10 games and then that will be the time to look ahead in the future.

“But I can say from my point of view that I would love to stay. It’s a top, top club.”

Valencia, 27, has made three league starts in his time with Everton, primarily in a wide attacking role.

He acknowledges that opportunities to lead the line have been limited due to the scoring form of Romelu Lukaku, who has 19 Premier League goals so far this term.

“Romelu’s probably going through the best spell of his career in terms of goalscoring form, so you can’t displace him," added Valencia. "Maybe it would be different for me if we were playing tactically a bit different.

“Normally for my national team I play as an out and out striker up front so it has been a bit difficult as I’ve been playing more towards the wings. But I am enjoying that role too. The main thing is to try to get into the team.”