GARY Cahill has told Wanderers fans to forget about Europe.

Bolton are only seven points off seventh-placed West Ham, who occupy the final Europa Cup spot, with six games left.

But the Whites defender is adamant survival is still the club’s first priority.

Gary Megson’s side are seven points clear of the relegation zone and victory at Portsmouth on Saturday would all but guarantee their Premier League safety.

Indeed, depending on other results, a win on the south coast could reignite 12th-placed Wanderers’ hopes of a late charge for a European place.

But Cahill has urged supporters to be realistic – even if that means putting their passports away for another season.

And the 23-year-old insists a top-half finish represents major progress after last season’s battle with the drop.

“First and foremost we have got to get ourselves completely clear of going down. Then we can focus on the next goal,” said Cahill.

“If we can finish in the top half of the table it would be a vast improvement on last season.

“As long as you can see that progression then you can see the club is going in the right direction.

“You have to be realistic and, pretty much from the moment I signed, I knew Europe wouldn’t be on the agenda for the season after because of where we were.

“Players have come and gone. It’s a rebuilding process here and, as players, we know it will take time.

“Fans are used to being in Europe. We’re not at the moment but as long as you can see progress then that’s what our targets should be at the moment.

“Every player wants to play in Europe, to play in a top-four team or to play for their country. You should always have ambition to play at that higher level and you wouldn’t want to kick around looking over your shoulder at survival all the time.

“But if we can finish in the top half and then improve the squad in the summer, that would be an improvement.”

But the former Aston Villa man is not completely ruling out Wanderers’ European dream.

He added: “It’s still in our own hands. There are a lot of winnable games between now and the end of the season.

“To finish in the top seven would be a massive achievement. In the next few weeks, the table will divide and it’s up to us to make sure we are on the right side of that.”