Cahill targets Asian Cup return for Socceroos

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The Everton midfielder fractured the fifth metatarsal on his left foot against Sheffield United at the start of March, having only recently returned from an 11-week lay-off with a knee injury.

Scroll down for more

Absent: Cahill has missed much of Everton's season through injury

Cahill, 27, did not feature for the remainder of the Premiership season as David Moyes' Toffees secured a place in next season's UEFA Cup, but should be available for Australia coach Graham Arnold for the opening Asian Cup game against Oman on July 8.

The former Sydney United and Millwall midfielder, who was the first player to score a goal for Australia in a World Cup finals match thanks to his 84th-minute strike against Japan in 2006, has been working in the gym since returning to Sydney and on Wednesday received encouraging news following a meeting with his specialist.

"I don't want to get ahead of myself too much, but I'm quietly confident, I'm happy," Cahill told The Sydney Morning Herald.

"Before I left England, there was quite a bit of a gap between the bone and the pin [in his foot], but these X-rays show a massive improvement. If anything, the bone looks as though it's healed over 80%.

"So I'll start running on Sunday. I hope to do a good 20 minutes, half an hour, so I can get the feel for it, and the biggest day will be Monday, to see how I pull up. But at the moment it feels fine, I've had no pain."

Everton head physiotherapist Mick Rathbone will also make a 48-hour visit to Sydney at the weekend to finalise the next phase of Cahill's rehabilitation programme.

"I've always been fresh and positive mentally, and now I'm just looking forward to the Asian Cup," added Cahill.

"It's not a Mickey Mouse tournament, this is one of the biggest tournaments outside the World Cup, and we've got a massive chance of some silverware.

"Obviously the last 12 months haven't gone completely to plan, but I still played 16-18 games for Everton, scored seven goals, played in the World Cup and finished in the top 50 of the Ballon d'Or [European footballer of the year award]. That's my season, so things aren't so bad after all."

As well as Oman. the Socceroos will face Iraq and co-hosts Thailand in Group A of their first major tournament since reaching the second round of the World Cup last year.