Everton sweat on Tim Cahill injury as Leighton Baines puts nightmare behind him

Mar 24 2008 by Chris Beesley, Liverpool Daily Post

Everton sweat on Tim Cahill injury as Leighton Baines puts nightmare behind him

EVERTON are sweating on Tim Cahill’s fitness for Sunday’s crucial Merseyside derby at Anfield but the Australian’s Goodison team-mate Leighton Baines is hoping to finally put his injury problems behind him after returning to the starting line-up.

Cahill, who missed the 2-1 defeat at home to Liverpool earlier this season, has netted three times in six Merseyside derby appearances but is now facing a race to be fit against Rafael Benitez’s side in six days time after hobbling out of Saturday’s 1-1 draw with West Ham United after just 10 minutes after aggravating the foot injury that had kept him sidelined for the second leg against Fiorentina and trip to Fulham.

Steven Pienaar and Joseph Yobo are also doubts for the trip across Stanley Park after the pair missed the Hammers’ visit to Goodison Park.

The South African midfielder was sick with gastroenteritis while the Nigerian defender picked up an ankle injury in training but striker Andrew Johnson is expecting to be available as he makes progress in recovering from a groin strain.

One player who is hoping to put his own injury problems behind him is Leighton Baines who has admitted that his first season at Goodison has been “difficult” but feels that his trials and tribulations have made him a “stronger person.”

The left-back became Everton’s