Everton defender Phil Jagielka has admitted he would have swapped a couple of his side’s victories in the Europa League this season for some in the Premier League as they prepare to take on Swiss side Young Boys this week.

The Blues impressed in the second-tier European competition before Christmas, qualifying ahead of German side Wolfsburg for the last 32.

They are back in Europa League action on Thursday when they go to Switzerland to take on Young Boys and Jagielka and co will be hoping for another victory (Young Boys 2.96, Everton 2.32, draw 2.22).

However, while the defender admits he is pleased with their form in the competition, he readily concedes he would have swapped a win or two for more points in what has been a disappointing Premier League campaign to date.

“I would’ve swapped a couple of wins in Europe for some in the league but we’ve done well, performed well, scored good goals and defended pretty well in the main in the Europa League,” Jagielka told the Liverpool Echo.

“We hope to continue that at Young Boys, it is going to be a really tough game especially with the conditions but it will be a nice distraction to have.

“But we still need to get back to the Premier League and start picking up some points.”

Everton will hope to progress in Europe, a competition local rivals Liverpool now enter when they host Besiktas on Thursday after they crashed out of the Champions League, while fellow Premier League side Tottenham are also involved in the last 32 when they take on Italian outfit Fiorentina.

The Blues are then back in domestic action when they host bottom-placed Leicester City on Sunday.