'TIM CAN FLY TO THE TOP' [...]; TIM CAN BE AT THE TOP - MOYES.

Byline: DOMINIC KING

DAVID MOYES today set Tim Howard the challenge of becoming the best keeper in the Premier League after his flying start to pre-season.

Howard has enjoyed an outstanding 12 months, setting a new club record for Premier League clean sheets, helping Everton reach the FA Cup final and playing in the Confederations Cup final for the United States.

He only returned to training 10 days ago after a three-week break but there were no signs of fatigue yesterday when Howard was named 'MVP' as Everton beat the MLS All-Stars on penalties.

Moyes was delighted to see him make three saves in the shootout - plus a number of outstanding stops during normal time - and now wants Howard to use this performance as a catalyst for greater things.

"Tim did really well and he is clearly playing with confidence," said Moyes, whose side face another friendly at Coventry on Sunday.

"Playing in the Confederations Cup has done him no harm and he has set himself some standards with a performance like that in his first game back.

"He very rarely lets us down and we need that to continue, as he is so important for us. He is getting to the age now where we want him to be the top goalkeeper. "Nigel Martyn did it for us before when he was here but now we want to see Tim go on and do the same and I don't see why he can't, either." Since signing initially on loan from Manchester United in summer 2006, Howard has been the model of consistency and was rewarded in May when - like Phil Jagielka and Joseph Yobo - he signed a new, improved five-year contract. While Moyes was thrilled to get his two central defenders to commit their futures to Everton, Howard's signature was a major prize and his manager expects him to keep on improving - particularly if Carlo Nash fulfils his role.

"He is athletic - he was a basketball player and you can see that in the way he springs around his box and the athleticism he has in games," Moyes said. ". All goalkeepers need confidence and if they playwell, they gain it very quickly. . "We can rely on him but we need to make sure that we have tough competition, so he doesn't rest on his laurels. We need to make sure that he is getting pushed. "Nashy does a good job urging him on in training and that has to continuSe. We need Tim at his best because good goalkeepers save vital points in the Premier League." Meanwhile Manchester manager Markk Hughes has still not ruled out a third bid forJoleon Lescott - depsite the Blues hands off warnings.. An pounds 18million offer has been rejected, and Hughes said: "We will wait and see. "

"We have good central defenders here already and good competition. That's what we want. "We are making no secret of the fact we want to continue to strengthen the team. We have looked at playerswe feel will help us and make us successful in the future. "The business we have already done is exceptional and there is quite a way to go before the window closes." However, Hughes insisted it was never his intention to use Nedum Onuoha as a makeweight in any deal. Hughes said: "It was never in my thoughts to involve him if I was trying to get another player. He is very much part of the future."

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TAKING OFF: David Moyes expects a big season from Tim Howard