TIM CAHILL admits his season has already exceeded expectations – while paying tribute to the man whose “revolutionary” surgery rectified the foot problems that threatened his career.
Cahill has been in outstanding form for Everton since returning to the first-team fold in September.
The Australian had made just 28 appearances for the Goodison outfit in the previous 18 months after a series of metatarsal injuries.
Cahill eventually returned to his homeland last year for an operation by orthopaedic surgeon Dr Kim Slater, who has developed a technique for repairing and remodelling stressed bones of sportsmen.
It has proven such a success that Cahill is enjoying one of his best campaigns at Goodison Park, having prospered as a makeshift striker to help Everton into sixth place in the Premier League and through to the FA Cup fifth round.
But the 29-year-old has revealed his primary aim was simply to regain his full sharpness and enjoy his game again after such an injury-hampered time.
“The thing people don’t understand is that this year I really just wanted to get fit, and aim to have a massive season next year,” said Cahill, who is currently in Japan for Australia’s World Cup qualifier tomorrow.
“But the expectation of Australian fans and Everton fans is such that you’re constantly under the microscope. Still, when you’re in this form, you just want to keep playing.”
Both former Liverpool winger Harry Kewell and Australian fast bowler Brett Lee have benefited from the same surgery Dr Slater performed on Cahill.
And the Everton man added: “Kim did revolutionary surgery on my foot, which I knew was the right thing to do.
“He’s renowned for saving people’s careers in football, rugby and cricket – the science looked good in theory, but it really came down to the kind of person he is and the honesty he showed me. He’s a humble guy but deserves a lot of recognition. For me it’s all good.”
Everton manager David Moyes will keep his fingers crossed Cahill returns to Merseyside unscathed ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup fifth round clash at home to Aston Villa.
However, both Marouane Fellaini and Steven Pienaar have withdrawn from international duty this midweek after missing Saturday’s 3-0 win over Bolton Wanderers.
Fellaini is undergoing intense rehabilitation on the back injury he sustained in the second half of the FA Cup replay with Liverpool last week.
But Pienaar, who is already ruled out of the Villa game through suspension, is expected to also miss the following week’s trip to Newcastle United because of his hamstring complaint.
There was better news from long-term absentee Louis Saha, who is expected to return to full training by the end of the week.
“Fellaini has a bruised back but we are pushing him to be fit for the weekend,” said head of physio Mick Rathbone. “We anticipate that Pienaar will be out for a couple of weeks.
“Saha is doing well and is close to returning to full training and is looking to join this week.”
Meanwhile, one-time Everton target Joao Moutinho has hinted he would like a move to the Premier League this season.
Moyes tracked the Sporting Lisbon skipper throughout last summer only for the transfer not to materialise.
And the Portugal international, who will enter the final year of his contract at the end of this season, has been told by Sporting that he will be allowed to move if the club receive a suitable offer.
Moutinho said: “What is going to happen next season? Moving abroad is an option and I feel ready to make the step up to such challenge.
“I’m aware that Everton are interested in me. I must say they are a good club and Nuno Valente told me positive things about them.”
