Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson is backing his opposite number at Bournemouth, Eddie Howe, for a top job.

Howe is one of the most highly rated young managers, with the 42-year-old being linked to the Everton job.

If the Toffees were to sack Marco Silva, Howe would be high on their list of candidates.

And Hodgson believes that after the great job Howe has done with the Cherries, he deserves to be talked about for such jobs.

Hodgson told reporters: "Absolutely.

"I think his record is really, very, very good. What he has done at Bournemouth is quite exceptional.

"He's put together a very good team. They play very good football, they are very well organised.

"All the things you would want to see in your team, he has produced that for the Bournemouth owners and fans.

"I'd be very surprised if his name isn't linked with other jobs when they come up.

"It might not be as easy for him to leave Bournemouth because I don't think the Bournemouth people would be delighted to see him go.

"But the fact there are people out there who look at him and what he does with his club and say 'this is a good manager, this might be someone we would like' that doesn't surprise me one bit."