Tim Howard says the current Everton squad is the strongest he's been involved with.

Howard believes it is the strongest squad Everton have had since he joined in 2006 and says they will keep pushing for a UEFA Champions League place, even if it is far too early at this stage to get excited.

"The Champions League is a real, viable option for us. Very difficult, but it is viable," he told Sky Sports News. "We talk about it, we achieved it a few years ago and we have the ability on form to do it. But it is a long way off to May.

"This is my seventh season. I think it is the best squad we have had, in terms of quality from top to bottom.

"You'd have to ask the manager his opinion on that but I get the feeling from being around the guys in training and in matches that it is the most talented squad we have had.

"Does that give us the best chance? Maybe, because our grit and determination is always there and that is an Everton trait. Maybe this could be our year."