The Toffees' 1-1 draw at Chelsea yesterday was enough to earn sixth place in the table, booking a place in next season's UEFA Cup.

David Moyes' side's last European adventure came to an abrupt end when they were knocked out of the UEFA Cup at the first hurdle by Dinamo Bucharest - having already had their Champions League dreams wrecked by Villarreal in the qualifying stages.

But Cahill believes they will be much better prepared for the rigours of European competition this time around.

He told the club's website, evertonfc.com: "Everyone knows that our European campaign two years ago was a massive disappointment and we are determined to make a better fist of it next season.

"I can't wait to get back and get started. Playing in Europe is exciting and we've certainly got a good enough squad to do well in the UEFA Cup."

The midfielder has been forced to watch from the sidelines since March and admitted he was desperately disappointed not to be involved in last week's lap of honour around Goodison Park after their final home game of the season - the 3-0 win over Portsmouth.

"I believe the lap of honour was awesome and that the crowd were brilliant last weekend.

"I would have loved to have been there to acknowledge the fans because they have been magnificent all season," he added.

"It was a great win by the lads against Portsmouth and European football is an achievement that everyone at the club can be proud of.

"It's something that we've all worked so hard for since we returned to pre-season training back in July and I was made up for the boys after last Saturday.

"I may be thousands of miles away but I got some terrific text messages from the lads last weekend!"

Meanwhile, Everton skipper Phil Neville has called on the club's board to back Moyes in the transfer market if the club are to move forward.

Joleon Lescott, Andy Johnson and Tim Howard have all made major impressions on Merseyside since joining last summer and Neville, who has six Premiership titles, three FA Cups and a European Cup medal to his name, believes similar backing will be required to make the "next step".

He said: "The feeling at the end of last season was that the club had to make a step up.

"We needed to make two or three signings and everyone needed to raise the bar. First of all, the board backed the manager and he made three great signings.

"Then the players produced on the pitch. I said in the dressing room afterwards that we have set a standard we can't fall below next season, regardless of the excuses of playing in the UEFA Cup.

"Next season the games will hopefully come thick and fast. Now we have got to sit down and ask the same questions.

"Does the club want to go further? Does everyone want to take another step forward? If it does, the club have got to back the manager and we have got to bring in players like we did last year.

"The foundations are certainly in place and we want to make the next step."