Everton full-back Leighton Baines believes that an injection of cash could ensure that the Toffees establish themselves as a Premier League side challenging for honours.

The Toffees had a good chance of qualifying for next season's Champions League campaign until they were forced to settle for a goalless draw against top-four chasers Arsenal.

While Baines believes that finances are not the be all and end all of Everton's success, the England international has insisted that it would ensure that the Merseyside outfit continued to improve.

"We have been steady over the years," Baines told the Daily Mail. "We have been shy of challenging for the Champions League places and are managing to edge our way closer.

"We have not had that big push in terms of giving the manager that backing to go and buy the players who would really put us right in the mix.

"It is one thing having it and obviously you have to spend it wisely. You have to get the right players and those who fit, so it would not be a given if we were to get a good amount of money, but it would definitely help."

Everton are now four points away from a Champions League place.