TIM HOWARD believes ‘selfless’ stand-in skipper Phil Jagielka is setting the standard for the rest of the Everton team.

Despite nursing a broken toe that requires a painkilling injection before every game, Jagielka has been in outstanding form for both club and country in recent weeks.

After helping England shut out Spain at Wembley, the centre-back headed the equaliser for the Goodison outfit in their 2-1 home win against Wolverhampton Wanderers last Saturday.

And goalkeeper Howard expects Jagielka to once again put his body on the line in tomorrow’s Premier League visit to struggling Bolton Wanderers.

“He’s so dependable for his team-mates, for me as a goalkeeper and for the fans,” said the United States international. “He’s always there – willing to stick his nose in where other people won’t.

“He’s willing to do three and four people’s jobs on the field even if that risks making a mistake.

“A lot guys will say, ‘I’ll do my job and to heck with you, you sort yourselves out’, but he’s trying to put fires out all over the field at the risk of sometimes putting himself on the line – he’s brilliant.”

David Moyes’s men will aim to capitalise on Bolton’s poor form, with the Trotters having lost nine of their last 11 league games.

And both Howard and Jagielka are looking to improve their record of having kept just one clean sheet this season.

“We are one of the best teams in the Premier League for not conceding chances and opportunities – we have conceded one of the least amounts,” said assistant manager Steve Round.