Howard helped Everton finish fifth in the Premier League last season

Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard has urged the Toffees board to spend big and push for a Champions League place next year.

The 29-year-old helped his side finish fifth in the Premier League this season and qualify for the Uefa Cup.

Howard said: "Nobody wants to say it but I will - the way football is at the moment you need money.

"We have had a generous chairman who has given us money but we have to keep [breaking our transfer record] to stay up with the teams that spend big."

Toffees boss David Moyes broke the club's transfer record when he spent �11.25m on Middlesbrough striker Yakubu in August 2007.

Everton's previous biggest signing was the �8.6m Moyes spent to bring England frontman Andy Johnson to Goodison Park in May 2006.

606: DEBATE Chances are we will be more-or-less happy with the transfer dealings of the club when the transfer window closes SheedysGoldenBoot

And USA international Howard, who joined Everton from Manchester United in February 2007, thinks Moyes should get more funds to help them challenge for a top-four place next season.

"If you look around the world the teams who are at the top aren't the poor ones," Howard explained. "We have a good team and a good squad so if we keep building on that we will have quality.

"If we have more depth we will be all right - we can challenge. We finished fifth this year so fourth is the next logical step."

Howard is expected to win his 28th USA cap in Wednesday's friendly against England at Wembley.