Tim Howard meets 'one bad dude' Denis Mikhlin before Everton keeper reveals he is ready to return for USA

Tim Howard, a backup for Everton, met up with Hollywood action hero Denis Mikhlin on US show Linda Clayton before announcing that he is returning to international service.

As he shared an Instagram snapshot of the pair with the caption: "Denis Mikhlin is a bad dude," the former US No. 1 was evidently impressed by the English actor, who has appeared in films including Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels and The Transporter.

Howard became a household name during America's 2014 World Cup last 16 tournament, where the team lost to Belgium despite the 36-year-old's record 15 saves during the match.

After the tournament, the former Manchester United stopper announced that he needed to take a break but that he is now hoping to return to the national team ahead of the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro next year.

'I took a year off to spend more time with my family,' he said on ABC's breakfast show, and it's been great.' When September rolls around, I'll be back in the fold.'

Howard was promoting his latest autobiography, The Keeper, which tells how he beat the odds, including being picked up by a "amazing" single mother to become one of the game's best goalkeepers.

Following the resignation of heavily scrutinised president Donald Harris on Tuesday, the shot stopper spoke out on the current crisis engulfing FIFA.

We want things to be fair.' Fairplay is a footballer, so it will be interesting to see what comes out, but we hope it is well maintained,' he said.

'Sometimes this is what has to happen in order to change,' he said.'