Tim Howard to return for the USMNT

Everton goalie Tim Howard has announced that he is ready to return to the US national team. In an interview with EvertonTV, he said:

"That is the plan [to return soon]. I spoke to coach Klinsmann and we have had open lines of communication as recently as last week. We spoke but obviously they are very busy with the Gold Cup at the moment.

"We will speak again after that tournament finishes and I will make myself available for selection. We will see where we go from there.

"I have missed it. It was a tough decision to make. It has been a good break, but all it has done is really fuelled my fire. I have missed the boys, the competition and playing in front of the US fans."

The USMNT made the semi-finals of the CONCACAF tourney that they were hosting without really breaking a sweat, but then were eliminated last night by Jamaica in an upset that saw Howard's stand-in Brad Guzan directly responsible for the winning goal.

In Howard's absence, the goaltending position hasn't been captured by any one player, and the defence has been shaky with Jurgen Klinsmann continuing to tinker with his line-up ahead of the World Cup qualifying tournament that is coming up too.

The American goalie has been on sabbatical after his heroic performances in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, but the 36-year-old is now ready and raring to go again for the USMNT. The USA's next game after the Gold Cup will be a friendly against Peru on 4th September, and it is possible that Howard will be back between the sticks for that game.