Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard has decided to look at the positives of the busy festive schedule.

The Merseyside outfit have eight fixtures lined up for December, the first of which is against Hull City at Goodison Park this evening.

"For me, you want to play more than you train," Howard told the club's official website. "You are not banging your body on the training pitch - it's rest, recover and play again.

"If you get three points you feel good about going into the next game. If you lose or draw, you have an opportunity to put it right. It doesn't fester for a whole week and for me that is a good thing."

Everton are currently 11th in the Premier League table on 17 points from 13 games.