Everton have agreed a season-long loan deal with Manchester United for American goalkeeper Tim Howard, according to reports.

The 26-year-old USA international made only one Premiership appearance for United in the 2005-06 campaign as he struggled to win the battle for the goalkeeper's shirt with Edwin van der Sar.

Howard moved to Old Trafford from New York Metrostars in July 2003 and was a regular in Sir Alex Ferguson's side during his first season with the club.

However, he lost his place to Roy Carroll at times during the 2004-05 campaign and van der Sar's arrival at the club from Fulham last summer has seen Howard slip out of favour.

Everton's veteran keeper Nigel Martyn is on the verge of signing a one-year extension to his Goodison deal this summer if he can prove his ankle injury problems are over.

Richard Wright has failed to impress during the last few weeks of the campaign while Iain Turner and John Ruddy are still only 21 and 19 respectively.