Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard has hailed Phil Neville after the full-back made his 300th appearance for the club at the weekend.

Neville, 36, reached the landmark against his former club Manchester United - a team that he featured for 389 times previously.

Discussing that achievement, Howard insisted that Neville has been a leading example for all of his teammates.

"Any time a true professional and a leader can get a landmark appearance like that it's special and I certainly applaud him and look to him for advice," Howard told the club's official website.

"I think you always respect your captain and you look to him, ultimately for leadership day in and day out and not just during 300 appearances, which is a fantastic achievement.

"He's a guy who's comes in every day, who comes to work with his lunch pail and hard hat and gets things done. That's what a leader does, he shows up every day and he let's everyone know he's right on top of things. It's fantastic."

Neville joined the Toffees in the summer of 2005.