Tim Howard has spoken of his special bond with Everton as he prepares to return to business in the Europa League.

The former Manchester United goalkeeper, and the USA's No1, is content with life at Goodison Park ahead of the home match against Benfica tonight.

He said: "I am exactly where I want to be in my career. I am at a stage where I envisaged I would be as a goalkeeper. That doesn't mean there won't be tough days but we all have problems to bear. That is all part of it. You have to take the bumps and the bruises. This is my fourth season and I really feel embedded in the fabric of the club."

The days and nights do not come much tougher than the first game in Lisbon when Benfica triumphed 5-0 in Group I.

Howard said: "I was disappointed and hurt as we all have a lot of pride in the job. We want to get back on track and get through this group. It is important for us as we got beaten up pretty badly in Portugal. It is not going to be easy but hopefully we can take a step in the right direction when we have the rematch.

"Our foundation is built on hard work and team spirit. It is not sexy football. That is not to say we do not play good football but this aspect only comes after we have dug in. There is no lack of effort on our part."

Everton go into the game on the back of a nine-match unbeaten home run in Europe and Howard wants his side to keep the run going.

He added: "Sometimes it is a long week from the Saturday. But when you are in Europe you do not have time to look at the last result, you are just focusing on the next one. You are recovering from one game then preparing for the next. Going back a couple of years that really helped our form. We did not have time to worry as we were too busy playing. That is why Europe so important. It enabled us to get games, runs and confidence."

I am exactly where I want to be in my career. I am at a stage where I envisaged I would be as a goalkeeper.
Tim Howard, Everton goalkeeper.

Even though Benfica are without a victory in seven European matches on the road, manager David Moyes is not underestimating his opponents. He said: "I think they will play the same way as they did at home. There are a really good side. They may well topple Porto, who have dominated for years, and win the league.

"We do know the dangers Benfica pose but it is not easy to stop them. However I hope we can cause them some problems on our own ground."