Lee Carsley has put aside an apparent relegation jinx and insists he is now aiming for the World Cup finals.
The Republic of Ireland midfielders £1.9 million move from Coventry in February has turned out to be just right for a battler who has suffered relegation in both of the last two seasons.
First at Blackburn, who he will face tomorrow at Goodison Park, and then last term with the Highfield Road club.
Add that to having to watch as his first club Derby County slumped into the First Division this term and Carsley would be forgiven for thinking he is something of a jinx.
But he has overcome injury of late, impressed new boss David Moyes, and now wants to make sure Everton reach the Intertoto Cup while clinching his place in the Irish World Cup squad.
Carsley said: "I hope I have done enough for Mick McCarthy over the years to get my name into the Irish squad.
"I have never let Mick down. I have always given my all for Mick and the team so I hope that's enough."