Cahill concern for Toffees

Last updated at 16:12 01 August 2007


Tim Cahill will see a consultant this evening to assess the results of an earlier X-ray on his damaged foot amid fears that the injury is worse than at first thought.

The Everton midfielder has been recovering from a broken metatarsal, suffered at Sheffield United in March.

Tim Cahill

And in his first game back for the Toffees last night against Werder Bremen he was taken off after 61 minutes after falling awkwardly - the worry being that he had damaged the same foot again.

Cahill had an X-ray earlier today before Everton announced on their website, www.evertonfc.com, that he was being referred to a specialist. The club are unlikely to make any further comment tonight.

If Cahill has suffered a recurrence of the injury, it could put him out for a couple of months, at least - a savage blow to the Australian and the Merseysiders.

Everton's assistant manager Alan Irvine was considered with his view on Cahill after the 2-2 draw with the Germans.

He said: "He felt his foot again which obviously is a bit of a worry. He landed on it awkwardly which probably frightened him a little."

Everton have been concerned over Cahill's recovery, particularly because of the pressures put on him to play for Australia in the Asia Cup this summer.

Cahill was included in the Australia squad after Everton's medical experts flew out to examine their player.

But the 28-year-old was frequently used only as a substitute in the tournament and did not play a full part in the event.

He returned to Everton last week to start training again, and did not travel out to the USA for a training camp in Los Angeles with the club again showing concerns about his fitness.

Everton boss David Moyes will be praying for better news from the specialists than is feared.