Stoke City striker Jonathan Walters wants to help the club return to Europe.

Stoke competed in the Europa League as FA Cup runners-up in 2011/12, enjoying memorable trips across the continent before meeting their match in Valencia.

"I think we've been improving year on year we've been in the Premier League, apart from one blip (2012/13)," Walters told The Sentinel.

"We don't want to just survive in the Premier League, we want to push on and challenge for European places.

"I'm pretty sure that's what the manager's plans are and the club's plans are over the next few years.

"If we can improve steadily year on year and improve that base of players then it's good without getting too far ahead of ourselves and spending big money on marquee signings that don't work out.

"We are ahead of our targets for this stage of the season. We got 50 points last season and we're looking to beat that again and try to catch the teams above us."