Tim Cahill’s progress pleases Everton

May 24 2008 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

EVERTON are confident Tim Cahill remains on course to be fully fit for the start of the new season.

Cahill is currently in Australia recovering from an operation to end the metatarsal problems that have dogged his game during the past 16 months.

The midfielder recently underwent surgery in his homeland and is undergoing an intensive rehabilitation under the supervision of the Australian national side’s medical team.

Everton’s head physio Mick Rathbone visited the midfielder recently and has declared himself happy with the player’s progress.

Cahill has been sidelined since March, and has set himself a target of being available for the start of pre-season training in July.

And Rathbone said: “I went to Sydney last Monday and saw Tim and we had a meeting with the specialists. We had some new X-rays done and I met with the Australian medical team who are looking after him for a couple of weeks.

“The facilities are fantastic, and I was very impressed with the surgeon.”

Meanwhile, David Moyes has backed Joleon Lescott to become even better next season.

The defender has appeared in all of Everton’s 96 competitive matches since his £4m move from Wolves in the summer of 2006, and his consistent form over last season – not to mention his 10 goals – earned him a clutch of personal accolades.

And Goodison manager Moyes believes there is more to come, and said: “He did really well for us and deserved all his awards. He played ever so well as a central defender and equally as well as a left-back. It’s great to have that versatility.

“You have to be very gifted to be able to do that. We always knew that Joleon had talent. We just gave him the opportunity.

“He has stepped up to the mark but what he has done is work terrifically hard.

“He trains every day, misses very few games and has become a really important figure but he can get better.”