Marcus Hahnemann praises Everton keeper Tim Howard

Tim Howard joined Everton from Manchester United in 2006

Everton’s Marcus Hahnemann says fellow goalkeeper Tim Howard is at the top of his game because of the hard work he puts in at the training ground.

Hahnemann, a former United States international, joined the Blues last month after his release from Wolves.

“Tim puts enough pressure on himself and he’s in the gym more than anybody,” he told BBC Radio Merseyside.

“You should see the amount of work he puts in. He’s definitely taken less out of the game than he puts in.”

Everton signed Hahnemann on a short-term deal in September because Toffees boss David Moyes wanted extra cover in goal.

The 39-year-old, who played almost 300 games for Reading, says he is happy to be understudy to Howard and Slovakia international Jan Mucha.

“I know Tim really well and I get along with him,” Hahnemann continued. “I don’t think it is a bad job being a back-up goalkeeper and it’s very important.

“If you don’t have a couple of keepers, if not three, and you have an injury, then you’re struggling. If I get a chance to put on that Everton shirt for real then I’ll be ecstatic.”